Cross Street compromise seems likely (From Free Press Series)

Cross Street compromise seems likely

MONMOUTHSHIRE council cabinet looks set to suggest a compromise to end the Cross Street closure battle in Abergavenny.

The cabinet, which was holding a special meeting today to discuss the issue, will consider five options which include making the closure of the street, between 11am and 4pm each day, permanent or ending it completely.

But the option they are most likely to adopt is a modified order to keep the town centre closed to through traffic between those hours, but allow cars only into Cross Street and Market Street.

This is the preferred option of Abergavenny Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Abergavenny Town Council.

Monmouthshire County Council introduced the closure last December, five months later than originally planned, after legal challenges by a couple of traders.

It was brought in after requests from local people, the town council and the Bryn y Cwm area committee which wanted to make the town centre a safer shopping environment.

But Cross Street retailers say trade has been reduced, in some cases by more than 20 percent, and the barrier outside the Angel Hotel makes it look like a ghost town.

At last week's emergency meeting of the chamber of trade it was agreed to ask the cabinet to bring in a compromise to close Cross Street and Market Street to delivery vehicles between 11am and 4pm, but allow cars through, and keep the barriers at the end of High Street and Nevill Street.

This was after several traders in Nevill Street reported trade had increased since the closure started.

Takings at the Delightful lighting shop, The Trading Post, Cooks Galley and Ian Shackleton's pharmacy and photographic shop had all risen.