Fears over new car parking plan (From Free Press Series)

Fears over new car parking plan

MONMOUTH could die if the town's car parking fiasco is not solved, claimed a town councillor.

Monmouthshire County Council latest car parking proposals for Monmouth - which include restricting parking to a maximum three-hour stay - were discussed at Monday's meeting of the town council.

Cllr Drewe Lacey said: "If the local authority gets the car parking wrong the town could die. This has already been demonstrated elsewhere locally and Monmouthshire County Council should produce a properly researched plan to prevent this happening here."

Cllr Lacey suggested that the council should provide workers with a long stay car park, shoppers with a short-term facility and parking places for an hour or less.

Mr Lacey added: "The residents who live in the town centre, who try to park in the side streets, should also be considered in these proposals."

Cllr Caroline Pearce suggested that the town's two main car parks could each be divided into short and long stay.

Cllr Sue Chivers said: "This is a good opportunity that we should investigate the possibility of building a multi-story car park somewhere in the town."

Local estate agent Michael Skidmore said: "The solution is that we need more parking - it is as simple as that!

"There have been several solutions suggested that includes the creation of a new car park, behind the Queen's Head, there by freeing up the Glendower Street car park for shoppers. Anything else is just tinkering!"

Lyndon Owen, Managing director of an electronics company said: "Monmouth must choose between parking revenue or business success.

"Reduction and change in parking regulations since the opening of the new bridge, coupled with recent proposals to make Glyndower Street car park a limited stay facility provides Monmouth businesses with a no-hope situation of survival and provides a ridiculous burden to employees."

Campaigners against the proposed scheme have set up a petition that has already been signed by hundreds of people as they believe the restriction of a three-hour stay will discourage visitors to the top end of town and are urging the council re-think their proposals.