'Be patient' plea as scheme nears (From Free Press Series)

'Be patient' plea as scheme nears

WITH work due to start in Chepstow town centre at the end of the month, councillors are calling on people to be patient with the inevitable disruption.

The second part of the £1.66 million scheme, which follows last year's remodelling of White Lion Square, is scheduled to be completed in November, by which time Beaufort Square and High street will have seen a complete revamp.

The Regeneration Working Group, comprising Monmouthshire county council, the town council and Chepstow chamber of commerce, met last week, for the final time before work begins.

With funding now secured, materials will be moved in on March 22 and building will follow soon afterwards.

But community leaders are anxious to ease the concerns of traders who fear for their businesses as work goes on.

County councillor Cliff Meredith, chairman of the working group, said: "There is little point in suggesting that such a major transformation of the town centre will not cause disruption to the town but plans are in place to ensure it is kept to a minimum.

"We want to get the message across that Chepstow remains open for business and is still well worth visiting."

The plans councillor Meredith refers to include phasing the scheme to avoid chaos throughout the whole area at any one time.

Workers will start in Beaufort Square and hope to finish there by July, giving residents "a taste of things to come" according to councillor Meredith.

A series of newsletters will be issued to keep residents, retailers and visitors informed of progress and information will also be available on-site and at various outlets throughout the town.

To compensate for loss of parking in the High Street, the working group is making 15 spaces in Welsh Street car park free for a period of 15 minutes (no return within two hours).

Advance signing of the High Street's conversion to 'One Way' will be erected to enable drivers to plan their routes.

Councillor Meredith said: "I'm really excited, this is a good thing for the long-term future of the town and I think it will be a smoother process than many expect."