SIR,
On Saturday 8th January I stood by Skidmore's Estate Agents to distribute fliers advertising the public meeting about the pinch point trial on the following Wednesday.
Many people said they opposed it so I suggested that they come to the meeting to make their feelings known. I was pleased to see a lot of them there.
We received an excellent presentation from [Monmouthshire County Council officers] Colin Phillips and Paul Keeble explaining the background research they had done and setting the trial in the context of the Hamilton-Baillie Associates Shared Space plan for the whole of Monnow Street.
At the end of the meeting, the show of hands to measure the opinions of those present indicated 70 per cent in favour, including many who had previously opposed it. I was therefore shocked to hear that the trial had been cancelled.
In addition, a number of people I offered fliers to refused as they were visiting for a day's shopping.
I was surprised at how many there were for early January and how many of them commented on the narrowness of the pavements where we stood and wished the trial well.
Shoppers, local or visiting, should not have to walk in single file at the pinch point or step into the road to pass people coming towards them or window gazing.
I feel strongly that the trial should be allowed to go ahead. It is, after all, a trial.
Bethia Smith
(Monmouth)