MADAM,

Is Monmouthshire County Council trying to kill our town?

I cannot believe that anyone thinks this scheme will be a success. Traffic in the town is already at a standstill during peak periods.

Last week I went into town twice during working hours. On Wednesday lunch time it took six minutes just to get from Agincourt square to the Monnow Street post office, this was because of a transit van unloading where the narrow road trail will be, the van only had two wheels on the road, the others were on the pavement, but pedestrians were still able to pass.

On Friday evening it took 30 minutes to get from the Hereford Road traffic lights to the Waitrose roundabout, traffic was backed up both ways from one end of town to the other. On leaving Waitrose at 5.15pm it took 10 minutes to exit the car park and reach the Waitrose roundabout, once there I was able to drive back to the Hereford Road traffic lights in less than two minutes.

I predict that the Monnow Street proposal will bring traffic chaos to the town and put off potential visitors completely. (I have asked several acquaintances if they think visitors are put off visiting the square by the current footpaths and all agree it is nonsense, the square regularly being full of visitors.)

I have lived in Monmouth for 29 years and worry about the impact of this change on the people who live and shop here and have to drive through the town on a daily basis.

Martin Howlett

(Monmouth)