Open letter to Western Gas Alliance.

SIR,

We were made aware by MCC Highways on 7th May 2010 of the extensive disruption to road users and local residents and businesses that will take place in Monmouth from 4th July for a period of four months, relating to new gas pipe work.

Recently, we were informed of the public meeting hosted by Wales and West Utilities to take place on 14th June from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Kymin View Primary School, Wyesham.

We think it might be useful to highlight a number of the concerns of the business community prior to the public meeting about the proposed works.

Information supplied by Abergavenny Chamber of Trade suggests that there was a good level of dialogue in 2007 between your company and the businesses of that town, when similar work was undertaken and that the work there finished two weeks ahead of schedule.

You will no doubt be aware that many events are planned this year in and around Monmouth to celebrate the centenary of the death of Charles Rolls, and it would obviously be better for the economy of the town if the gas works planned were delayed until the autumn. A timetable of major events can be found on monmouthevents.co.uk

The date of greatest importance close to the commencement of works is 12th July,  with many events planned, which will result in increased levels of traffic in and around town with a considerable percentage of visitors by car using Wye Bridge as an entry point to the town.

Wye Bridge also forms an essential access road to the town for visitors in cars touring the Wye Valley, and it would be detrimental to the town if visitors were deterred from visiting its historic centre.

Other events dependant for their success on easy vehicular access to the town and use of Wye Bridge over the summer are the internationally acclaimed Monmouth Festival of music, which begins on 23rd July for just over a week, Monmouth Carnival day on 25th, which  includes a magnificent display of 200 Rolls Royce cars at Monmouthshire Showground, followed by a Balloon Glow at the showground on 1st August.

The information from MCC Highways supplied on 7th May mentioned the Festival and Monmouthshire Show, but not the Carnival or the Balloon Glow.

We also must not forget visitors to the town during the Ryder Cup.

Residents of St James Street, Glendower Street, Chippenhamgate Street, Almshouse Street and Agincourt Street in general do not have their own off-street parking.

It is widely acknowledged that parking availability at the 'top' end of town is grossly inadequate, and that this is detrimental to the prosperity of businesses.

The further loss due to roadworks of parking for residents and visitors will mean that there will be further demands on limited on-street parking and the inadequate parking available in Glendower Street car park.

We believe that solutions should be investigated as to the creation of temporary extra parking and note that for about seven weeks the coach/ bus pull-in will be unused off Dixton Road while the Comprehensive School is closed.

Perhaps also extra parking could be offered, as is done at Christmas time, by Haberdasher's Boys School, while they too are closed for the summer holidays.

During the time of the roadworks on Wye Bridge, we believe that the possibilities should be investigated by MCC and Gloucester Highways of imposing a temporary weight restriction on Wye Bridge of 17.5 tonnes so that heavy LGV traffic, but not coaches, find an alternative route and reduce the impact of traffic disruption caused by temporary traffic lights on Wye Bridge.

We look forward to the presentation by Wales and West Utilities on 14th June and to maintaining a constructive dialogue with your company during the period of planned works.

David Cummings

(Chairman, Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce)