A voucher scheme and Welsh Government-funded free parking for town centres dotted across the Monmouth constituency are both needed to boost footfall, local politicians have warned.

In the Senedd Peter Fox, who is the MS for Monmouth, called on the Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, to give the proposals the greenlight.

Mr Fox said: “Data reveals that Wales’ town centres have suffered the steepest decline in footfall out of the UK nations.

“But simple yet effective measures – such as granting free parking in town centres across the Monmouth constituency and offering £100 vouchers to be spent at local town centres - would incentivise increased footfall, at a time when our struggling towns need it the most.

“My proposals would provide a real boost and generate more income in the longer term for the Monmouth constituency.”

He added: “The only way this proposal can happen is with the blessing of Labour Ministers, and I therefore urge them to heed our calls.”

And Councillor Sara Jones, who is the Deputy Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said:

“Without any further delay, our town centres desperately need bold initiatives to allow them to bounce back post-pandemic.

“Supporting local authorities to provide free car parking, as well as an ambitious voucher scheme as seen in Northern Ireland, would be a huge step in the right direction for our crucially important businesses.

“Our town centres have been hard-hit during the pandemic and desperately need a welcome boost.”