My daughter’s comment, after arriving from the US and seeing Monmouth again after three years - “The town looks so sad and run down”.

She noticed the number of empty shops and could not see the point of narrowing the road to make space, not for pedestrians, but for flower tubs.

Obviously, the traders, from their comments in last week’s Beacon, feel the same.

It seems the designers of Monnow Street do not live in the real world.

What on earth is the idea of a water garden by the exit to the bus station?

Why are they seeking to reduce - even further - the numbers of parking spaces on the High Street?

If businesses in Monmouth are to succeed, there must be easily accessible, short term, parking spaces.

As one trader said, the geography of the surrounding area must be taken into account.

Active travel is all very well, but most people in the area do need their cars to access Monmouth.The fact that we have car parks within walking distance of the town is often mentioned.

However, for example, if you have some temporary disability or if you want to drop off a large charity donation, you really need to park by the shops.

We need to listen to the views of the Chamber of Commerce.

Sherren McCabe Finlayson commented that businesses say the present lay out of Monmouth is largely to blame for “ the demise of customers and footfall”.

Several retailers report turnover is “down 35/40% on pre covid levels”.

If we want to return to a thriving town, with a “unique feel”, we have to think realistically about the future of Monmouth.

It is about attracting people into the town so businesses thrive and the town comes to life again.

The present lay out was meant to do just that but it has failed!

So, please do not make the situation worse!

FC

Mitchel Troy