Hideous structure claim on Shire Hall fencing COUNTY Council bosses have come under fire from all quarters after allowing "hideous" fencing to be erected around the historic Shire Hall at Monmouth. The fencing was put in place in anticipation of the massive renovation programme, due to start on the ancient structure. However, financial problems have resulted in the works not getting under way as planned, and likely to be delayed until the end of the year. This has led to a call from traders and towns people for the market to be returned to its natural home in Agincourt Square. That call has been rejected by the County Council. Mr David Cummings, leader of the town's traders, told The Beacon on Tuesday that "It was with some considerable surprise and dismay that I encountered the security fencing around the whole of the cobbled area of Agincourt Square last Thursday. "No prior notification had been given to the Chamber, or to the traders in Beaufort Court and Agincourt Square" he said. Mr Cummings said the Chamber lobbied MCC Estates and Area Working for a meeting with those traders most affected by the Shire Hall restoration, to discuss the timing and extent of the likely disruption to their businesses. "Two meetings followed and we had the impression from the meetings that the Chamber and traders would be kept informed of any further developments. Sadly this was not to be the case. "The Chamber fully supports the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) application for the renovation of the Shire Hall, which is one of the most important historic buildings in our town and an essential part of our heritage. However, even if work can start shortly after the HLF meeting in late June, the period of disruption to top of town traders has been extended unnecessarily by a further three months by the erection of this security fencing. Since Thursday the Chamber has received approaches from 15 traders who have felt a considerable reduction in trade, which they believe is due to the fact that shoppers are put off by the security fencing around the Shire Hall. "We believe that the opposition to the erection of the fencing three months earlier than necessary is such that traders need to meet with MCC Estates and Area Working to work out a compromise solution to the current situation, at the earliest opportunity. "The Chamber feels that issues relating to the cleaning of the archways and presence of glass on the cobbled area is a policing and County Council cleaning issue and cannot be insurmountable. "We must also not forget that traders at the bottom of town have been affected by the delay in the Shire Hall HLF project, as 35 prime parking spaces have been lost for a further three months, at least, on Friday and Saturdays by the presence of the Shire Hall market. "We understand that Shire Hall market traders are in favour of a return to the Shire Hall, whilst the area is available, and feel that the provision of services for them could be overcome with the application of some lateral thinking. "The continued use of the building for the Town Clerk's office, which is accessible to the public, would seem to suggest that the building is not so structurally unsound as has previously been indicated and may not therefore be a deterrent to the short term return of the market" added Mr Cummings. The Chamber of Commerce will formally be requesting a meeting between traders, MDCTC , MCC Estates and Area Working to discuss matters further" Meanwhile, Beacon reader, Mr Suart Wilson, contacted us to ;express his concern at the barriers, claiming they had been erectedwithout warning and involved the entire area under the arches of the shire hall and all of the cobbles in front of it. The reason, for the fencing was some litter under the arches. "The result was not only a hideous barrier round Monmouth's principal building but also deliberate illegal damage to the grade 1 listed building, the rooting of people onto a pavement into the path of oncoming traffic, causing a danger to other members of the public, not resolving the initial problem of litter and all costing tax payers money and damaging Monmouth's tourist industry" said Mr Wilson. His statement added: "The Shire Hall a grade 1 listed building was illegally and deliberately damaged when the fence was bolted into the masonry. Although Cadw, the Welsh equivalent to English Heritage had given permission for bolts to be put into recent concrete repairs the council and its contractors ignored this and damaged the stonework instead. "This new fence has also routed people onto a pavement that is nearly level with the road. This has meant that vehicles frequently park and drive on this surface and the fence has in effect put people in harms way by focusing them on a path that is used by on coming vehicles. Given that the council put up the fencing for health and safety reasons this situation is hardly safe for people's health. "I would have thought the danger of getting run down by a vehicle far exceeds the danger of falling on some broken glass which was only present due to the county council failing in its statutory obligations. Also the highways department has previously acknowledged the danger of this path and plans to lower the road accordingly and had previously placed bollards there to protect the public. Thus the council know there is a health and safety issue and have now exacerbated the risks by forcing people to walk there. "The barriers are ineffective. Litter can still build up around them and can be easily be thrown over, through or under them and now because of the barriers no one can clean it up. This not only looks unsightly in the centre of town but will increasingly become a health and safety concern and then additionally an environmental concern as rats and other undesirable creatures take advantage. Tourism will also be affected as the barriers are ugly and with the unnecessary fencing this will mean a detrimental effect on Monmouth's economy. Further the placing and hiring of the fencing is also an unnecessary cost. "The design of the barriers themselves is a health hazard. On Friday an incident took place when a partially sighted woman nearly walked into them as she could not see the fine mesh that makes up the bulk of the fence. This may seem a minor problem for those with good eyesight but there are many people in Monmouth who do not and with the fences being that they are across some cobbles that remain open to the public this is an important danger. "Further the barriers were put up without planning permission which according to Sue Chivers Deputy Chair of the town council planning committee would be required. Given how strict the council is regarding individuals getting the correct permission this does seem like double standards". Mr Wilson said that, ccording to Keith Davies, Asset Manager of Monmouthshire County Council, who he had spoke to by phone, this litter and the urinating problem were a matter of Health and Safety and as it was a council owned building the council can do what ever it wants. "I put it to him that I own property and so if I can find a health and safety reason means that following the council lead I can do whatever I like. This is of course ridiculous and so is the council's policy. If this policy was repeated whenever there was a litter problem then every car park, open space and most roads would by now be barricaded. "This is not a matter of health and safety but is a matter of street cleaning; with the litter being cleared there is no danger. The county council have full responsibility and a duty of care under the law (Environmental Protection Act 1990) to clean the streets. This includes its own property and property which is open to the public that under the law includes the Shire Hall and the cobbles. Thus they are obligated to clean this area by law and not abuse Health and Safety legislation designed for other purposes. "The current situation is a clear violation by Monmouthshire County Council of its statutory obligations under the law and a waste of public money. "Considering the above it would seem that the county council have no regard of the law or its responsibilities under it. "The solution; removal of the barriers and uphold the County Councils duty of care under the law to clean the area. Reinstatement of the market to the square till building works begin on the Shire Hall (earliest current estimate September 2008). The market stalls can be provided by the current contractor who sets them up at the bottom of town. The market move would free up valuable car parking space in town especially important at this time going into the tourism season. These actions will improve the character of the central square and be beneficial to the town's economy as a whole". Mr Wilson added: "Did you also know that when works starts on the building Keith Davies wants to needlessly destroy the Henry V tapestry by destroying £800 worth of glass, money which was devotedly raised by public donations?"
