Cattle Market to be demolished (From Free Press Series)

Cattle Market to be demolished

REDUNDANT Cattle Market sheds in the centre of Monmouth, which were holding up major regeneration works, can now be demolished.

Contractors for Monmouthshire County Council will start work on demolishing the Cattle market's remaining tin sheds on Friday.

Clive Campbell, Monmouthshire County Council's Transport and Project manager said: "Cadw have now given us the permission to demolish the cattle market sheds and enable us to complete the first stage in the regeneration of the town.

"Cadw informed us that even though the building is in a conservation area, it is not worthy of retention and were quite happy for it to be demolished."

The demolition of the cattle market and the construction of the new river crossing is all part of the first phase of a scheme to regenerate the town.

The second phase includes the construction of a welcome centre and other development within the area of the Mediaeval Monnow Bridge.

Discussions for the future of this area will go before public consultation before any final decision is made.

The construction of the new Monnow Bridge is on schedule for completion for the end of February, with a formal opening later in the year to be performed by HRH The Princess Royal.

The first phase of the project began in May last year, having being discussed for 80 years, and will cost an estimated £2.4million to complete.

The amount of car parking in the area of the Cattle Market building will be reduced for a few days as it will be cordoned off on Thursday evening to allow contractors to start demolition work on Friday morning.