One-way system brings chaos (From Free Press Series)

One-way system brings chaos

THE controversial one-way system which is causing chaos in Chepstow is here to stay, according to local officials.

Despite calls from local traders whose businesses have seen a dramatic decline since the introduction of the new scheme, and angry resident frustrated by the misery caused by traffic congestions, Cllr Cliff Meredith says there will be no U-turn.

Monmouthshire county council's area manager, Tim MacDermott, initially told the Free Press that if the scheme did not seem to be working, it would go back to the regeneration committee.

But Cllr Meredith said: "There are no plans to reverse the scheme and it would not be taken back to the Regeneration Group. It would have to be an absolute disaster for that to happen."

Meanwhile, Cllr Graham Down, is calling for the initiative to be abandoned. He said: "The chaos in the town centre with the introduction of the one way system is exactly what some of us predicted.

"Anyone applying a bit of common sense could see that the system was doomed to fail from the start.

"The traffic congestion has been an absolute nightmare and there is a real danger that people will just stop coming to the town. That will spell disaster for trade in Chepstow.

"I suppose that advocates of the scheme will argue it will take time for people to get used to the new system and for things to settle down. That may be so, but vital business is being lost in the meantime.

"Unless there is a clear and demonstrable improvement during this week, I shall be calling for an urgent meeting of the Lower Wye Area Committee to get the whole thing scrapped."

Alan Browne, Area Services Officer at the Lower Wye Valley One Stop Shop, said: "The traffic situation in Upper Church Street is unacceptable.

"I have spoken to people in the queues and my belief is people are coming in to Station Road, find they cannot turn left and are adding to the queue in Upper Church Street.

"Where are the extra cars coming from? They are people who would have gone up High Street. I feel when you know a town you won't read the signs. I believe as each day goes by it will correct itself.

"The regeneration scheme was not about solving Chepstow's traffic problem. If you look at High Street it is working already. It is far more pleasant to be there than before.

"We cannot pretend we are going to change everything after a few days, we need a longer time to settle down."

See this week's Free Press for a special two-page report.