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A466 Wye Valley road closure

Current Road Closure – Rock Netting, Ground Investigation and Monitoring Works – Full 24/7 Road Closure from 5th May 2026- 31st July 2026

Essential safety works on the A466 are continuing, and the current road closure will remain in place until 31st July, in line with the original programme for the works. While good progress during the early stages allowed an anticipated completion date of 17 July to be communicated, further areas of instability have been uncovered as more of the slope has been exposed.
Approximately 90 metres of additional unstable rock face has been identified, requiring further stabilisation measures, including additional rockfall protection netting and remedial works to ensure the safety of road users. A greater extent of vegetation clearance has also revealed further cracking and instability, which must be assessed to help inform a long-term engineering solution. In addition, some activities have been adjusted to accommodate environmental requirements following the identification of nesting birds within the site area. We recognise the impact the closure is having on local residents, businesses and visitors, and we thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding.
Communities and businesses along the A466 corridor remain open and accessible, and we will continue working closely with local stakeholders to minimise disruption while these important safety works are completed.

Works Progress June Update

Significant progress has been made across the A466 Wye Valley Project, with vegetation descaling now complete across all sections of the site.

We have moved into the next stage of works, with drilling for anchor bolts now underway. To accelerate this operation and minimise programme duration, two drilling rigs are currently in operation on site.

The installation of the rockfall protection netting will follow, forming a key phase in stabilising the rock face and improving long-term safety for road users.

Alongside these activities, ground investigation works are continuing as planned, providing essential data to support the ongoing design and construction phases.

 Why the Road Needs to Be Fully Closed

From 5th May 2026, the A466 has been fully closed and will remain closed 24/7 until the 31st July 

This closure is necessary because:

Our teams will be working across the full length of the affected corridor (around 5km) on steep and unstable slopes where safe access is not possible with traffic present.

Large plant, drilling rigs, rope-access teams, trenches and boreholes will be in operation along multiple sections of the road at the same time.

Rock scaling and netting installation require the work area below to be entirely clear, as loose rock may be deliberately released from height.

For these reasons, public access cannot be permitted under any circumstances until the works are complete.

Why These Works Are Needed

Site walkovers and a detailed Slope Stability Assessment have identified:

  •        Multiple rockfall hazard zones each containing loose or unstable rock blocks of varying size.
  •         Areas where the rock face has deteriorated due to weathering, undercutting and vegetation/root action.
  •         Sections of the slope where loose material poses a future risk of falling onto the carriageway.
  •         Areas of embankment instability and signs of ongoing ground movement.

To help design long-term repairs for future works, we now need to carry out detailed ground investigations and install monitoring equipment across the most affected areas.

What We’ll Be Doing During the Closure

To reduce future disruption, we are combining all necessary safety and investigation works into this single closure. Activities will include:

Rockfall Safety Works

Rock scaling and removal of loose or unstable material from multiple hazard zones across approximately 350 metres of combined slope length.

Installation of rockfall protection netting by Vertical Technology at locations where instability has been identified.

Ground Investigation Works

We will be completing five ground investigation sites along the route, including:

  •        Boreholes
  •        Trial pits
  •        Soil/rock sampling

These will help us understand subsurface conditions and design the future major remediation works.

 

Monitoring Installation

Installation of slope‑monitoring equipment at priority locations to track ongoing ground movement and inform long‑term safety management.

By carrying out all these activities together during one closure, we minimise the need for further closures later in the year.

Diversion Route

A signed diversion will be in place for the full duration of the works. Please allow extra time for your journey.