FEARS for the future of two villages have been voiced as calls grow for a bypass on the A4042.

Residents of Llanellen and Llanover are concerned at the environmental impact on their communities if the A4042 road is turned into a by-pass.

Local councillors want the road made a by-pass from Little Mill to the Hardwick roundabout amid safety fears, five people having died on the stretch in recent years.

But David Thomas of Llanellen told a meeting of the Bryn a Cwm area committee: "There is a very strong and moral argument for a by-pass, but residents' main concern is the effect on the rural area between Llanellen and Llanover.

"What will be the environmental impact of a by-pass, and what will be the impact when the A4042 is de-trunked?

"Will there be a large housing estate built or a super-school because there are very old schools in Llanfoist and Llanellen?

"Will this also raise the heads of the land-dredging companies because of the rich, mineral wealth which goes down to quite a depth in Llanellen and Llanover?"

Llanover member Councillor Brian Hood said: "There have been some terrible accidents on the A4042 including one involving my neighbour who was killed at Little Mill. "We all want the road reviewed but before any decision on a bypass is reached there would be full consultation and all these very important points made by Mr Thomas would go forward during that consultation.

"Assuming the National Assembly did go ahead with a by-pass scheme it would probably be 20 years before it is completed."

Councillor Chris Wood-house also suggested looking at the council's 10-year development plan which specifies which areas will be used for mineral mining.