SIR,
We were appalled by the recent revelation that Monmouthshire County Council has abandoned the pinchpoint trial in Monnow Street, particularly as people have been lobbying the council for many years about pedestrian safety.
As a result, MCC commissioned expert consultants on town centre planning and a public meeting was held to present the proposals and offer an opportunity to discuss the rationale behind them.
The meeting was well attended and there was much enthusiasm for the trial to go ahead.
Furthermore, we were informed that MCC had money to deal with the top end of Monnow Street and that as other works were planned for later in the year, it was more economical to incorporate the proposed trial in February.
Some people may be oblivious to the fact there are other areas in the town where drivers have to give way to oncoming traffic, such as Wyesham Avenue, and as a result drivers are much more polite and considerate to pedestrians.
It seems MCC has succumbed to loud-shouting 'no' people who did not attend the public meeting to learn the facts but instead see themselves as clairvoyants.
It might also give us insight as to why it took so many years to get a second crossing over the River Monnow and must surely beg the question as to whether democracy in Monmouth really exists.
David and Angela Hoyle
(Monmouth)