ABOUT a year ago a set of temporary traffic lights mysteriously appeared on the busy main road between Cross Ash and Skenfrith.

Over a year later and the lights are still in the same place, still operating 24 hours a day.

Local residents, councillors and passing motorists are now asking the question: "Why are the lights there?"

Local Community Council Clerk, Roy Nicholas, told The Beacon the lights were on hire to the County Council from an equipment services company.

"Their hire charge, plus diesel for the engine, plus overtime, equates to a cost of £21 for all the houses situated within the Cross Ash, Skenfrith, Newcastle, Maypole, St Maughans, Rockfield and The Hendre areas combined" he said.

The Local Council wrote to the County Council, pointing out the expense involved in operating the lights continuously.

The authority wrote back saying "The cost of maintaining traffic lights at this location is not significant".