SIR,
Perhaps I am becoming paranoid but there appears to be some sort of Machiavellian plot by the county council officers responsible for tourism, to actually discourage it.
We now have the situation where the following decisions/ recommendations are being proposed by Ms Beirne and her associates.
To close the Tourist Information Centre because the number of visitors to it have declined, but without taking into account that its removal from Agincourt Square makes it difficult to find.
According to Ms Beirne we don't need it because all the information can be found via the internet.
Of course she assumes that everyone already visiting the town seeking information will have some form of portable access to the internet.
To keep the market in the windswept car park at the end of town, despite the fact that returning it to Agincourt Square would benefit all the traders, rejuvenate the square and the Shire Hall and encourage visitors to wander through the town.
To alter car parking charges in the Glendower car park and only allow a maximum stay of two hours.
In addition, to introduce Sunday car parking charges.
This will obviously curtail the amount of time visitors can stay in Monmouth.
The narrowing of the road at the top of Monnow Street requires signs to be put on the entry roads into Monmouth advising motorists that delays are possible.
This should really encourage visitors to visit the town.
The Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, the traders in Monmouth and the general public have all expressed dismay at these so-called initiatives and there are currently two petitions against these moves.
We are informed that public meetings will be called but are these merely an attempt to delay matters in the hope that people will get tired and give up.
It is important that the general public make their feelings known and contact their local representatives.
To date none of the four county councillors have commented on any of these issues and I hope that this will be remembered during the next county elections.
Neill Bell
(Monmouth)