A PERMIT scheme to allow business access to a pedestrian zone in Caldicot will be implemented in November.

We have previously reported on vehicles driving illegally on Newport Road which is the main shopping area in the town and is a pedestrianised zone.

A public meeting was called last month at the town council's offices after a woman with a pushchair carrying a 20-month-old baby was involved in a road collision with a van in August outside Wye Valley Studios on Newport Road.

Businesses have voiced their concerns about their deliveries as seven businesses do not have rear access to their premises.

Monmouthshire council have written to businesses and are currently in the process of reviewing applications. No decision has been made on the times of access for delivery vehicles but the council say it is likely to be before 10.30am and after 4pm.

The council say they hope the scheme will be implemented by early November.

Tracey Clements, 53, a partner in Wye Valley Studios, said she supports the permit scheme but has concerns about the proposed time restrictions.

She said: "We don't have a usable back entrance and we have framing suppliers who deliver large sheets of glass to the studio. It is more dangerous to cross through the town with them than to drive the van up.

"We get deliveries who come from all over and many from up North. We can't tell when they are going to be here as they deliver to other parts of the country."

Tara Porter, 42, owner of Cobbler's Pride, on Newport Road, said: "We aren't really affected as we have a rear entrance but this is a good scheme for the town. There are a lot of children out there.

"I have a grandson and you just want them to be safe around the town."