A NOTORIOUS stretch of road which has seen five fatal accidents in less than three years must be bypassed, it was demanded last night.

Two local councillors are urging the National Assembly to build a new road bypassing an eight-mile stretch of the A4042 between Abergavenny's Hardwick roundabout and Mamhilad, near Pontypool.

The latest accident, on Tuesday, left three people injured, one seriously.

Monmouth AM David Davies also says he would support a new road which would bypass the villages of Penperlleni, Goytre, Llanellen and Llanover.

And Monmouth MP Huw Edwards said he would contact the National Assembly to see if this could become a possibility.

There have been five fatal accidents on that section of road in less than three years - and that does not include a number of minor collisions.

Local councillor Andre Arkell said: "This is a dangerous stretch of road and is the only remaining part of a major trunk road in Gwent that is not up to current dual-carriageway standards.

"And the A4042 from Newport all the way to Mamhilad is dual carriageway - and that should continue to Hardwick roundabout at Abergavenny."

Llanover councillor Brian Hood added: "The assembly needs to make up its mind whether this part of the A4042 is considered to be a major trunk road. "If they consider it to be a trunk road, then it should be re-routed and a dual carriageway installed.

"If not, the assembly should de-trunk the road so Monmouthshire county council could install speed limits and weight restrictions."

Speaking about the possibility of a bypass of the four villages, Mr Edwards said: "I will contact the National Assembly to see if this scheme is under proposal, then I will make my representations to them after meeting the communities involved."

*These latest calls come after 55-year-old Frank Nash, from Llanddewi Rhydderch, near Abergavenny, was left fighting for his life after a head-on collision near the Secret Garden nursery on Tuesday.

Mr Nash is still on a life-support machine in the intensive care unit at Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital, suffering from "serious head injuries and internal bleeding".

Inspector Chris Brown, from Gwent Police, said today Mr Nash was still seriously ill this morning.

The 59-year-old female driver of the Tipo, from Pontypool, was also in the Royal Gwent suffering from hip and knee injuries.

Her 59-year-old husband, who was a passenger in the Tipo, was taken to Abergavenny's Nevill Hall hospital with facial and rib injuries. The couple's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

This collision is the latest in a series of accidents on that stretch of the A4042. An elderly man was killed last year as he crossed the road at Goytre, and a motorcyclist was fatally injured when he came off his machine at Llanellen bridge.

*PICTURED: Councillors Andre Arkell (left) and Brian Hood say the stretch of road is dangerous.