Hundreds sign Cross Street petition (From Free Press Series)

Hundreds sign Cross Street petition

MORE than 1,200 people have signed a petition calling for Cross Street in Abergavenny to be reopened to traffic.

Since December Monmouthshire County Council has erected barriers by the Angel Hotel each day between 11am - 4pm, to prevent through traffic, following calls by the Bryn y Cwm area committee to make the town centre safer.

The measures were suspended during Christmas week, but reinstated two weeks ago, prompting a campaign by local traders, including those who trade in the Market Hall three days a week.

More than 20 of them met Cllr Giles Howard, the cabinet member for highways, at the One-Stop Shop on Monday morning, and the petition was handed over by Des Hillman, chairman of the Market Traders' Federation and Chris Reynolds, new owner of Stacey's the newsagent, now known as T. and C. He said: " We had 396 signatures in our shop alone, many of them disabled people."

Cllr Howard was addressed by Ken Watkins, landlord of the King's Head Hotel who said there was a lot of feeling from traders and residents in the street about the closure. " All have experienced different problems at different times of the day."

Cllr Howard said he was grateful to receive the petition and promised to speak to members of the area committee and he would abide by their decision, which he would announce on Wednesday.

But he warned that even if it was agreed that the barriers came down, this could take weeks because of the statutory consultation period which is required.

As well as traders Cllr Howard met several residents from the street, as well as local town councillors, disabled users and Monmouth AM David Davies who chaired a meeting of traders two weeks ago.