POLICE and town councillors are set to crack down on illegal parking in Monmouth in an effort to improve pedestrian safety and ease congestion.

The issue was raised at a town council community affairs meeting last year, where it was

decided that an extra drive to deter inconsiderate parking would be made by councillors.

Warning notes will be left on cars that are causing a problem by blocking access, parking on double yellow lines, or on single yellows within restricted times.

Working in partnership with Monmouthshire County Council's Highways department and Monmouth Town Council, the town's neighbourhood policing teams will be concentrating on both Priory Street and Old Monnow Bridge in an effort to improve parking standards.

The news is likely to be of

particular interest to residents and road users along Priory Street, with the Beacon having reported problems along the street in November 2014.

Back then, Priory Street resident Ian Townsend wrote an open letter to the police and town council, complaining that parked cars along the road cause a

number of traffic problems for the area.

Vehicles parked between 9am and 6pm on the single yellow line in Priory Street are creating such congestion that it is common to witness coaches, double decker buses and cars having to mount the opposite pavement to squeeze through.

Not only do officials have safety fears for pedestrians using the pavement, but there are also concerns that heavy vehicles could damage the listed buildings.

Priory Street is also a well known traffic bottleneck, especially when lorries and vans are unloading goods for the businesses along the road. Authorities are acting to end illegal and inconsiderate parking, this problem is worsened, adversely effecting traffic flow into the centre of town. Should an emergency vehicle need to get through for example, there is frequently nowhere for traffic to pull over to in attempt to allow them to get past.

Councillor Anthea Dewhurst, chair of community affairs said: "Town Councillors are pleased to help with this exercise, as many appeals for assistance have come from elderly pedestrians, those pushing prams and users of mobility scooters.

"On Monnow Bridge, although carefully and expensively pedestrianised, illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions are making safe passage extremely difficult."

Cllr Dewhurst also said: "Please park with consideration for the rest of Monmouth, however difficult it is to find a space."

A statement from the community affairs committee said: "Do not be surprised to find a warning note under your windscreen if you ignore double yellow lines or single yellow restricted times.

"The police are currently concentrating on this problem and will take action, with or without the reminder."