Monmouth traders "hung out to dry" by free parking refusal

Traders in Monmouth have been “hung out to dry” by a council’s refusal to introduce free parking while the “perfect storm” of water network upgrades and roadworks pushes shoppers elsewhere.

Local MP David Davies joined forces with the Chamber of Commerce and business community to put forward a list of suggestions as a way forward to reduce the immediate impact of works which are grinding the town to a halt.

His letter, addressed to Cabinet Member Catrin Maby at Monmouthshire County Council, asked for numerous possible solutions to be considered, including offering three hours of free parking to encourage people to continue using the high street.

But the response, which turned down the idea due to “very significant constraints on the council’s budget”, came from a senior official – prompting the furious MP to hit out at Cllr Maby for “refusing to listen to traders”.

“I am sorry Cllr Maby has been unable to find the time to answer the letter I sent her,” said Mr Davies.

“I personally wrote to her and got an email back from a senior official just repeating the policy. As the accountable Cabinet Member, she has the power to make these decisions but is seemingly content to wash her hands of any responsibility.

“I urge her to answer that letter herself instead of passing it on to someone else. Because the overring impression this gives to traders is that she is simply not interested in listening to their genuine concerns.”

Mr Davies said he was also in “direct conversation” with National Highways regarding the single lane traffic restrictions along the A40 up to Dixton roundabout following the landslide near the Wales-England border sign.

“I welcome the fact Monmouthshire County Council has called on National Highways to prioritise the A40 works – ironically announced in a press release issued in Cllr Maby’s name – and can assure her I have already spoken at length with my colleague and Transport Secretary Mark Harper,” he added.

“The current layout of the single lane system urgently needs to be reviewed, because it is pushing traffic back towards the Gibraltar Tunnels and blocking all access and egress points from Monmouth town on to the A40.

“It is also casing a backup on the Wye Bridge, which is impacting westbound traffic on the A40 and access to Wyesham and the Forest of Dean.

“I can confirm questions have been put to the National Highways team who designed the traffic management to understand the reasoning behind the layout that has been installed and I hope to have a detailed answer soon, alongside any plans for moving the single lane closure east of Dixton roundabout to improve traffic flows.”