THE issue of parking, or lack of in Monmouth was once again raised last Wednesday (7th August) with the possibility of 80 spaces proposed for behind Monmouth's Queens Head said to be "quite positive".

Representatives from the Monmouth Chamber, Civic Society, town councillors and local retailers gathered to discuss the issues and possible solutions to Monmouth's convoluted parking.

Vice chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Andrew Knapp said the meeting was positive.

"The MCC was in listening mode.

"They're quite confident that the work on James Street, the parking behind the Queens Head, will happen.

"They were not so sure about the Rockfield estate as there is no budget at the moment, but there was talk about the army getting a park at base level at the new skate park.

"The council are trying to be innovative and open to ideas."

This parking issue is a long-standing debate for Monmouth as priority is tugged to and fro between capacity of car park spaces and car park charging.

"It is about maximising opportunities for shoppers in town while also providing sensibly priced spaces for people who work in town all day.

"The underlying message of the meeting was that we're due an inflation rise."

The talks came about at a relevant time locally, with Usk holding a parking awareness week from Monday (12th August) due to complaints to police and Usk Town Council regarding major parking issues.

The Police Neighbourhood team will be raising awareness to car owners with posters, leaflets and notices regarding illegal parking, especially on double yellow lines.

Following awareness week Usk Town Council will then be bringing in a flat fixed penalty of £30 for anyone disregarding parking laws.

Mr Knapp believes the focus should be on maintaining Monmouth as a centre of shopping.

"In terms of spending, I think everyone is focused on giving people the option to stay in town," he said.

"Perhaps we need to change to an hourly charge to give more flexibility (to shoppers)."

Clerk for Chepstow Town Council Sarah Bushell agrees that the answer for parking issues does not lie in free parking.

"Carte blanch free car parking doesn't really bring people into the town," she said.

"It is used more for people who work in the town so we need to be creative to get people into the town, such as looking at specific times, like early in the morning and later in the afternoon when dropping the kids off at school."

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Local MP David Davies said: "A balance need to be struck; the council needs to be able to make money.

"If we had free parking then everyone would obviously want to park there who works here, which has been seen in the Abergavenny hospital car park; now, if you need the hospital you can't park there as everyone is simply using the free parking.

"I think what I would do, and it's a good argument, is to give everyone one hour free for shopping.

"But it needs to be well enforced so that the space is then freed for another shopper to park there afterwards."