A PETITION asking Monmouth Town Councillors to reconsider the location of a playground is gathering support, despite concern from some residents.

The petition, ‘Move Monmouth playground away from the A40 and do it now!’ had gathered around 130 signatures at the time of going to print, and asks that the playground be moved due to the “noise, pollution and ugliness” of the nearby A40.

As part of the appeal, the possibility of locating the playground within the grounds at St Mary’s Priory Church has been discussed as an alternative to the current site on Chippenham Mead, but this option seems unlikely.

Rachel Jupp, who started the petition, has been pleased by the amount of feedback she has received. “There is much agreement and disagreement, but what is clear it that lots of people are really passionate about the important role played by Monmouth’s playground and that is great,” she said.

“I set up the Facebook group Improve Monmouth Playground because, like many people, I believe that Monmouth deserves its central playground to be much better. My primary concern in setting up the group and the accompanying petition was that the Town Council, back in 2014, had turned down a reasonable proposal by the County to build a New Destination playground on a different patch of Chippenham Mead, and I thought this decision was a very poor one in the light of other changes to our growing town.

“In my view, it is no longer appropriate to situate a playground right next to the dual carriageway: it is a very busy road where traffic thunders past. I don’t wish for future generations of children to have to put up with the noise and pollution when there are other alternatives.

“The suggestions of putting the playground elsewhere have their obstacles but I think the Town Council should be a forward-thinking body which approaches problems and works them through in consultation with the public. My experience of attending their meetings is that there is a lot of ceremony and very little positive action.”

Monmouthshire County Council announced last month that it was to consult the community over plans to upgrade the play area at Monmouth’s Chippenham Mead. According to the current plans, the existing facilities will be completely removed and replaced with modern and exciting equipment attracting a wider age range.

A draft design for the new play area is available, and views from the public on the suitability of the proposed equipment are being requested and should be sent to Tim Bradfield at [email protected] or telephone 01633 644541.

The consultation period is open until 31st March.