Usk Town safety measures revised

Road safety measures in Usk are to be revised following feedback from the Usk community and meetings between Monmouthshire County Council and Usk Town Council.

The temporary traffic light system, cones and barriers will be removed today. Following a meeting with Usk Town Council, a number of alternative options have been discussed and reviewed but they were not deemed suitable. The County Council’s revised option of a one-way system will be put in place by the end of the week commencing 29^th June 2020.

The one-way system will operate using Bridge Street for motorists heading east of Usk towards the A40. Twyn Square to New Market Street will then be used to send motorists west through Usk over the Usk Bridge.

The installation of the traffic light system, as originally laid out as the preferred option by Usk Town Council, was implemented on a trial basis, with Monmouthshire County Council seeking views from residents and the Town Council on how it was working. The alternative option of a one-way system will also be a trial.

In line with the feedback, other measures will remain in place, including the proposal to provide an area wide 20mph speed limit throughout Usk and the prohibition of waiting at any time on Castle Parade between the Usk Traditional Fish and Chips shop and the fire station. The council is also reviewing signage and enforcement of the HGV restrictions through the town.

Cabinet Member for Innovation, Enterprise and Leisure, Councillor Bob Greenland said:  

“COVID19 has presented many challenges that communities across the world have had to come to terms with at speed. With community transmission of the virus under control, we now have the chance to give businesses, particularly retail the chance to re-start but only if traders and customers can comply with the 2 metre social distancing guidelines. Usk – given the nature of Bridge Street – is the hardest challenge in Monmouthshire and if we want the town to have shops we are all going to have to accept some adjustments. We understand why UTC has been keen to try a traffic light system to avoid the introduction of a one way system whereas Monmouthshire County Council believes a one-way system using Bridge Street in one direction and Twyn Square through to New Market Street in the other is the best solution. It is clear that the initial siting of traffic lights has not worked. We are unable to try different configurations for the traffic lights that will resolve the issues experienced. A one way pedestrian system was considered but rejected. These work best in traffic-free streets but rarely elsewhere. There were several issues that ruled it impractical in Usk.

“So we will be removing the current measures and implementing a trial one-way system. We are aiming to introduce this by the end of next week. It is important to emphasise that without change shops will not be able to trade safely and will likely close. This is an outcome that would be devastating for Usk”