Archive - Tuesday, 8 June 2004


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Funds fear over one-way debacle

THE controversial one-way system that brought Chepstow to a grinding halt, almost crippling several businesses in the area, looks set to cause even more damage.

Concerns have been raised that Monmouthshire county council could lose nearly £2 million after abandoning the ill-fated scheme, if the funding bodies demand their money back.

The council received £1.7 million of European and Welsh Development Agency cash to pedestrianise the town centre - with the one-way traffic system a central part of the plans.

But the council was forced to abandon the scheme after just nine days after it brought chaos to the town, with traffic jams and business being severely hit and threatening to shut-up-shop due to a lack of trade.

The local authority is now trying to convince its backers that their new plan can still achieve the original aims.

Project manager Chris Jones said: "We have been in dialogue with the Welsh Development Agency and the Welsh European Funding Office about the status of the funding now we have switched back to a two-way system.

"We expect to hear from them in the next fortnight. Every other part of the scheme, the artwork in the street and so on, remains the same."

Local Assembly Members are calling for more consultation with residents and traders in the town to ensure that the new scheme is a success.

Monmouthshire AM David Davies said: "The original scheme was not properly thought through and local people's concerns were not taken on board.

"More careful listening has to go on to ensure that there is no further disruption."

Greg Lance-Watkins was among many local traders who were against the one-way system, claiming it was having a detrimental affect on their business.

He has recently met with Cliff Meredith, chairman of the regeneration committee to discuss a way forward with the plans for the town centre.

Mr Lance-Watkins said: "I was very pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the situation in Chepstow with Mr Meredith. We must have a vision for Chepstow not just a scheme."