SIR,

I have lived in and around Monmouth for more than 40 years; I live in Trellech now and am totally outside the political wrangling which I witnessed yesterday evening at the public meeting on this subject.

But Monmouth is our town, and many aspects of the discussion filled me with shame.

I came with an open mind and the only axe I have to grind is the wish that Monmouth should feel as comfortable and safe to walk around in during an evening, as towns I have visited in France, Spain or Turkey in recent years.

What a pity that we have the need for speed cameras and CCTV cameras!

At the meeting, the Town Council spent an inordinate amount of time defending decisions made on the basis of extremely suspect and scanty evidence, produced by what appeared to me to be a totally inadequate CCTV system.

I was sad that our senior policemen were not more clear and concise in stating their wish (I think) to have a CCTV system in Monmouth, which is up-to-date and fit for its purpose.

The bright spot of the evening, the only bright spot, was to hear the clearly progressive and encouraging report from the Chepstow Council.

If Monmouth Town Council really have examined their system and the improvements made to it, how on earth has it allowed Monmouth to get into this tragic position ???

Time to admit mistakes and do a U-turn.

Forget about defending an indefensible situation. You will be thanked by the townspeople, not derided as at present.

I don't think that it was quite the 'constructive dialogue' which Brian Ramsey had hoped for, and my thanks and admiration go to him for keeping the peace, and for chairing the meeting with such patience, balance and wit.

Peter Powis

(Trellech)