A DRIVER died after a car crashed into a house in Chepstow last night. The 33-year-old man, who is from the Chepstow area, died after the silver Peugeot 206 Gti he was driving went through the garden wall at pensioner Barbara Gleed's house at Pwllmeyric Hill at 8.50pm.

The road between the Pwllmeyric and New Inn pub roundabouts was closed until 3.20am today as Gwent Police traffic officers carried out an accident investigation. Mrs Gleed, 77, told the Argus: "I had a lucky escape because I wasn't at the house when it happened - one of the wheels flew through the top part of my door into my hall.

"It could have been much more serious if somebody had been walking down the road at the time."

She said this was the third time a car had come through her garden wall. "It happened in 1972 and 2002 although the one in 2002 wasn't as serious as last night," she said.

The area was dubbed "an accident black spot" by Monmouthshire council's deputy leader and local councillor Graham Down. He said he has called for the speed limit to be lowered in Pwllmeyric from 40mph to 30mph.

"We have been promised a road safety strategy report which is way overdue," he said.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said of Pwllmeyric Hill: "In a five-year period there has been one fatal collision and one serious collision. "However, at a recent meeting organised by the council on May 17, some residents did express concern to one of our traffic officers regarding the area and it was suggested they document their concerns and forward them to the force traffic management unit.

"An assessment would then be made of the site and the appropriate action taken in consultation with the Safety Camera Partnership and the local authority.

"The police do not make the decision on speed limits, the local authority do and we are part of that consultation process."

l In a separate incident, two vehicles collided at Caerwent, near the Wentwood Inn pub on the A48 road Newport to Chepstow road, at around 9.40pm.

The collision was between a blue Jeep Cherokee and a red Land Rover Freelander.

One man and a woman were taken to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital for treatment.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Gwent Police are appealing for witnesses to both incidents to contact them on 01633 838111.