Further to the concerns, expressed in my previous letter, regarding the profligate and pointless redevelopment of Agincourt Square.

I attended one of the Public Consultation meetings: a depressing, despair-inducing exercise, in trendy, muddleheaded, modern thinking drivel, designed to demonize drivers; from a presenter totally convinced and taken in by his own propaganda.

I was appalled to have confirmed, that the cost of this already extravagant scheme has risen from the original considerable estimate of £540,000, to an eye watering one million pounds!

Upon inquiring as to the cost of merely resurfacing the existing carriageway, which is all that Agincourt Square really needs; a figure of £120,000 was mentioned.

That therefore means, £880,000 is to be frittered away in ‘tarting up’ the pavements, for pedestrian enjoyment.

This is an obscene amount of money to spend on a disastrous ‘prettification’ scheme.

It was admitted that the council are aware of the difficulties for traders, in the current financial climate, as illustrated by the closure of 18 shops, up and down the town; with five, within the exact area on which so much money is to be thrown away. However this pressing issue did not feature in their thinking, regarding this outlandish scheme.

They intend to press ahead regardless, in creating an area which belongs to the pedestrian, reducing the width of the carriageway and hopefully restricting the flow of traffic into the town.

As this is one of the main points of entry into the town: it is as laughable as it is dangerous.

When the situation regarding exhaust induced air pollution was raised, usually quite prevalent in local planning issues, it was brushed aside, as not being likely to be relevant. No air pollution monitors were, even at present, in place at the controversial pinch point and no plans were in place to introduce them.

Cars are part of our every day life and any plans to further restrict their passage through the town will have an eventual negative impact upon people’s willingness to come here. Therefore the already stretched trading viability of the town, however pedestrian-friendly Agincout Square becomes, will diminish accordingly.

I can not help but wonder whether the directors of Iceland will review their presence in the town upon realising their designated loading bay is to be done away with and the obvious falling off of trade from the evening shoppers, who albeit illegally, park outside to ‘collect’ their shopping as they are discouraged by the lack of parking facilities.

With 18 retail shops already vacant in the town we can not afford this scheme, which is now admitted will cause six month’s disruption to everyone: shop keepers and shoppers alike.

The writing is already on the wall and both town and county councillors should sit up and read it!

It is said “the way to Hell is paved with good intentions” but for this town, it is to be York stone and contrasting granite sets, with corduroy tactile strips.

Nero supposedly fiddled while Rome burnt. RIP little Monmouth, while our councilors fiddle about too.

Christopher Stowe (Monmouth)