THE main road through Tintern could be shut over the next few days because of high tides on the River Wye.

Monmouthshire council has made contingency plans to close the A466 through the village.

The road will be closed when each tide reaches its morning and evening peaks – but only if tidal water overflows onto the highway. Air pressure and winds affect the height of each tide.

The closures will only last for about half an hour and no diversions will be signed.

Council lorries will be placed just north of the Royal George Hotel and by the Wye Valley Hotel to block roads while the closures take effect.

Provisional closure times are: Sunday from 9.05pm until 9.45pm; Monday from 8.30am until 9.05am and 9.50pm until 10.25pm; and on Tuesday from 10.15am to 10.50am and 10.35pm to 11.10pm.

The council’s head of operations Roger Hoggins said: “This arrangement to close the road for the short time while it is in flood has been used for many years.  Closure times are estimated and based on the forecasted tide times.  

“The highest tide currently forecast is on Monday night – when road closures are most probable.  The tide heights will be monitored as they occur, with temporary closures only being put in place if water is about to flood the highway.”

Natural Resources Wales will monitor the situation and issue flood warnings as necessary.