COUNTY Council officers this week promised action to help hundreds of tenants on Monmouth's "forgotten housing estates". Families living at Carbonne Close, The Albion, Somerset Road and other linked estates in those areas contacted The Beacon with a "please help us" plea. They pointed out that a drain cover had been missing for four weeks and had not been replaced, despite repeated approaches to the County Council. Local town councillor John Fletcher said he had personally raised the matter on four occasions. "If something is not done, and quickly, then a young child will lose his life" said Mr Fletcher. Other tenants have complained about parking problems in Somerset Road, pointing out to The Beacon that people coming into town to work use the road as a free parking area. A petition was raised, which has gone to the County Council, demanding something be done. "Many of the drivers leave their cars here throughout the day, while they work in the town" said the petition. "We are sure there are sufficient areas in the town where they work, where they can park" said one resident, who pointed out that it was often impossible for emergency services vehicles to get through the estate roads because of the parking. And there are many anti social behaviour issues which local residents have expressed concern about, such as large quantities of rubbish being left uncollected, and a haven for rats, near flats and houses. One tenant, who asked not to be named, said "I have had two bicycles stolen from under the flats. "We are plagued with gangs of older youths, who have taken to sitting out in the area, shouting obscenities at various tenants, interfering with plant pots, attempting to open sheds, throwing things at the flats and even mooching in the bin shed. "I have noticed various groups have recently started using it as a meeting place, and have recently discovered empty vodka bottles and beer cans in the middle of the afternoon, strewn on the steps. "Perhaps most disturbingly, a few weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, we were treated to a pair of dirty boxer shorts having been left under the flats from some antics the night before. "There is an unlocked shed with electricity meters and I have on more than a few occasions moved youths out of it for fear of them electrocuting themselves or causing damage to the properties". There is one further issue which readers have referred to The Beacon, and that concerns the alleged misue of drugs on some of the estates. It was claimed by one resident that drug transactions are openly carried out. This was referred to the police, who said there had been no reports of drugs being sold on either of the estates. John Fletcher said it appeared to many of the tenants that they were living on "forgotten estates", adding "We're not asking for a lot, just for the basic services to be provided". A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council, when told on Tuesday of the various matters which had been referred to The Beacon, said she had made enquiries about all the matters. She said the drain cover was still on site and had been replaced. Other issues, such as parking, youths using the shed and rubbish being left in large quantities on the estates, had immediately been investigated and dealt with. A promise was given that a close watch would be kept on the estates in future and any problems dealt with quickly.
