Archive - Tuesday, 9 March 2004


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Date set for town centre revamp

THE long-awaited revamp of Chepstow town centre starts at the end of this month, it has been revealed.

Local residents and businesses have been warned that they can expect disruptions to continue for at least eight months.

Contractors are due to move in on Monday March 22, when the traffic order for making High Street a one-way system downhill will be implemented.

The regeneration work will take place along High Street, Bank Street, Beaufort Square and Bank Street; where there are plans to introduce wider pavements.

There will also be artwork work, reflecting the town's historical and cultural heritage.

Approval for funding from the European Union, Welsh Assembly Government, Welsh Development Agency and Monmouthshire County Council has been confirmed and Alun Griffiths (contractors) Ltd have been awarded the contract.

Alan Browne, Area Services Manager at MCC, said: "No one can pretend there will not be disruption, but we hope the short term pain, will be long term gain.

"We have made it clear that the contractors must talk to us regularly and liase with us to know the best part of the town to work on at any given time.

"I am currently working on a news letter that will inform local residents and business on the work that has been done and being done. These will come out about every six to eight weeks, keeping people fully inform with what's going on."

Local resident Corinne Burrett, said: "I wasn't aware they were going to make a one-way system. I don't think it is a fantastic idea, because when we get a problem here it causes road block, for example when there's a funeral at the church.

"Before now when we had a lorry break down in the town centre it caused gridlock, so I don't see how a one-way system will work."

Commenting on the imminent changes, another resident Elspeth Reid, added: "Like any new plan and rearrangement, it will take people a while to get used to the changes, and when they do they will see the benefit."