An open letter to chairman of
Monmouthshire County Council
SIR,
We are astonished and extremely disappointed that our elected members decided at the very last minute to cancel the planned trial at the 'pinch point' on Monnow Street.
This wastes a great deal of your officers' time and effort.
The decision was taken, apparently, after an impromptu show of hands at a meeting to discuss car park regulations.
Given that most people attending were likely to be primarily interested in travelling by car, this result is not unexpected.
By contrast, the well-attended meeting in Drybridge House called specifically to discuss the pinch point trial, where the reason for it was clearly explained by Colin Phillips, only three people voted against.
Previous meetings with townspeople and Monmouth Partnership Forum have also shown support.
The trial is a necessary first step in the wider redesign of Monnow Street.
At present, shoppers suffer a needlessly unpleasant and hazardous environment.
Indeed, in the half-mile from Hereford Road to the Old Bridge, the town's main shopping street, there is just one pedestrian crossing, and drivers rarely give way to pedestrians anywhere else.
Attempting to cross Agincourt Square is dangerous even for the nimble.
The elderly, or those with pushchairs or mobility scooters, rarely dare to try.
In many towns in the UK, and across Europe, shared space schemes are well established, bringing benefits in urban safety and quality of life.
Your press release says the 'postponement' is to reconsider the treatment of Monnow Street in a wider context.
It is not clear what Plan B might be, but if you are not to waste taxpayers' money it is essential that the imminent resurfacing of Agincourt Square does not simply replace the existing layout.
At least let's get this part of the problem reshaped in line with the Hamilton-Baillie proposals.
A safer, livelier heart to our town is still within our grasp.
Philip Bly, Cerys Atkins, Annette Baker, Ray Bassett, Anthea Dewhurst, Keith Mortimer and Sue Parkinson
(Monmouth Sustainable Travel Group, a working group of Monmouth Partnership Forum)