MADAM,

I was concerned to read your article; ‘Petition...permanent traffic lights at Mitchel Troy’ 28th September.

Having endured lengthy delays during the roadworks, in queues of traffic that sometimes numbered in excess of 30 vehicles in all directions, I cannot understand the rationale suggesting that permanent traffic lights would be a benefit to anyone. In addition, the costs of these delays that have already been incurred by both business and domestic drivers will have been considerable.

Whilst I will agree that the junction requires a degree of vigilance, that can be said for any road junction. In the eleven years that we have commuted to Monmouth, we have never witnessed an accident there. Also, your article states that ‘there is no accident history associated with traffic at the junction.’ I suggest that there is far greater danger in unexpectedly meeting the back of a stationary queue of traffic.

In these times of austerity when funds are limited, I am sure that MCC has many more important matters to address than this unnecessary project?

While predicted costs for the provision of traffic lights might be around £80,000, I think the experience of the spiralling costs of the recent works at Mitchel Troy would indicate that the final cost may be much higher.

I accept that MMC will have to review the presented petition (…of 82 signatures. I wonder how many thousand people were inconvenienced by the roadworks on a daily basis?) but would urge the councillors to file it under ‘No further action’.

N C Marsh

(Penallt)