**A40 Remains Closed for Over Nine Hours After Serious Motorbike Collision in Monmouthshire**
The A40, a crucial route traversing Monmouthshire, has been closed in both directions for an extended period today after a significant road traffic collision left one man with life-threatening injuries. The incident, which unfolded shortly after 11am on Friday, 9 May, sparked a major response from emergency services and caused severe disruption for motorists across the region.
Authorities from Gwent Police, accompanied by the Welsh Ambulance Service and the Wales Air Ambulance, were called to the scene at approximately 11:25am. It has since been clarified that the collision involved a motorbike, and the injured party, a man believed to be in his fifties, was swiftly taken to hospital. Police confirmed that his injuries are being treated as potentially life-threatening.
The affected stretch of the A40 runs between Mitchell Troy and Monmouth. Since the incident, both eastbound and westbound carriageways have been entirely closed. Eastbound traffic has been halted from the Gibraltar Tunnels towards Mitchell Troy, while westbound closures extend from the Raglan Interchange to Gibraltar Tunnels. As a result, drivers have been forced to seek alternative routes, leading to notable congestion throughout Monmouthshire and significant delays. According to updates provided by Traffic Wales South, motorists endured waits of up to 45 minutes during the Friday rush hour.
In the aftermath of the collision, specialist accident investigators were deployed to the location. Efforts are ongoing to reconstruct the events leading up to the accident, which is standard procedure in cases involving serious or potentially fatal injuries. It is understood that evidence is being meticulously gathered in an attempt to ascertain the full sequence of events.
The swift arrival of the Wales Air Ambulance, dispatched from Dafen, was critical in delivering urgent care to the victim. Representatives from the air ambulance service confirmed that their crew arrived at the scene by 12:01pm and remained involved until approximately 1:30pm. Such rapid deployment underlines the seriousness of the situation and the crucial role played by air ambulance services in responding to rural emergencies.
Notably, the closure of the A40 has had a significant knock-on effect on travel in the surrounding area. Reports from traffic data provider Inrix indicated widespread congestion, particularly as drivers sought alternative routes to avoid the closure. Nearby lanes and rural roads saw unusually heavy traffic, exacerbated by commuters navigating their way around the disruption.
Gwent Police and other agencies have maintained a presence throughout the day as part of ongoing investigative efforts. In a public statement, a police spokesperson reiterated the involvement of multiple emergency services and confirmed the critical nature of the motorcyclist’s injuries. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as more information becomes available and once investigation works have concluded.
As of Friday evening, there has been no indication of when the A40 will reopen, with the route remaining closed to all vehicular movement to facilitate essential investigation and recovery work. Motorists are advised to continue seeking alternative routes and allow for extra time when travelling through the affected region.
Incidents such as these highlight the ongoing risks faced by road users, particularly motorcyclists, and prompt renewed discussions around road safety, infrastructure improvements, and the critical importance of coordinated emergency responses across Wales. Further updates on the situation are anticipated as authorities work to fully determine the causes of this serious collision.
As the community waits for news on the injured man’s condition, local police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage to come forward and assist with their enquiries. The closure serves as a sober reminder of the unpredictable nature of road travel and the vital work carried out by emergency teams in the region.