Emergency drainage works at Monmouth’s Priory Street, due to begin on Monday, October 26, have been delayed, raising fresh concerns about lost revenue for the Priory and business in Church Street.

Folly Contractors, appointed as lead contractors for the repair work, are understood to have requested a postponement until January 2027, reportedly because they do not have sufficient staff available to operate the temporary traffic lights required during the works.

However, St Mary’s Local Church Council (LCC), which manages Monmouth Priory, is unhappy with the latest setback and believes the work has already been delayed for too long.

The drainage problems date back to a historic error, which came to light following investigations by Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water. The sewer system had been incorrectly connected to a drain originally designed to carry rainwater from the Priory roof to former slaughterhouses for washing.

A planning application to rectify the problem was submitted in 2022.

The discovery forced the emergency closure of the Priory’s toilets, resulting in lost bookings for weddings, private parties and other events. While some groups found alternative venues, including Bridges, and others continued to meet, the closure significantly affected the Priory’s income.

The planned repairs will require parking to be suspended along the full length of Priory Street, alongside a temporary one-way traffic system to allow contractors to connect the sewer pipe to Welsh Water’s main network.

An LCC spokesman said: “There are several festive events coming up on the church calendar and clients of the Priory are asking when they can start booking?”

The committee believes contractors should instead be pressed to begin work on November 16.

Although the timing is far from ideal for local businesses approaching the busy Christmas shopping period, the LCC believes further delays are becoming increasingly unacceptable.

The Priory is anxious to restore its facilities and secure much-needed income from events and bookings.

Folly Contractors have been contacted for comment.