Sir,
Who could but agree with Frank Kemp's letter in last week's Beacon about the county council plan for a 'pinch point' at the top of Monnow Street?
It does seem strange that our council should wish to risk creating a problem where none exists.
As Mr Kemp says, the old Monnow Bridge traffic worked quite well – save for occasionally when an especially aggressive driver reached the bridge.
I recall one entertaining occasion some years ago;
Scene 1: Two drivers, approaching from opposite sides of the bridge, did not slow down and met under the arch – nose to nose – and neither would back up.
Scene 2: Both drivers, refusing to budge, sit in their cars fulminating and gesticulating at each other; traffic builds up in Monnow Street and St Thomas' Square and a crowd begins to gather.
Scene 3: Cedric the Traffic Warden arrives on the scene and talks to both drivers but neither will give way.
Eventually, Cedric, calm as usual, takes out his notebook and announces that, even though it was near Christmas (when he was reluctant to book anyone) that he was giving both of them a ticket.
The drivers pulled back and Cedric himself decided who should go first.
The crowd clapped and peace and tranquillity was restored.
Oh happy days!
Stephen Clarke
(Monmouth)