A CAMPAIGN to protect Pontypool War Memorial from being “abused and desecrated” by illegal parking has taken a step forward, after Torfaen council agreed to install bollards.

Chairman of the Veterans Association Pontypool Branch, Steve Vaughan, set up a petition urging Torfaen council this year to stop vehicles, including their own vans and contractors, from using the spot.

In an announcement on Facebook, Mr Vaughan stated that the traffic measures had been given the go ahead, thanks to the donations of county and community councillors.

The 60-year-old campaigner stated that the quote to install bollards is between seven and eight thousand pounds and that work should be completed in November.

“It’s a desecration and disgrace to the war memorial when vehicles park on there. It’s there for the public and if vehicles park there, other vehicles won’t be able to go near the gates," he said.

“People who park there are normally doing work to the library or the public toilets but the war memorial is not a designated parking area.”

The Pontypool War Memorial and gates, on Hanbury Road, honours the service personnel from the area who lost their lives in the World Wars as well as subsequent conflicts.

Mr Vaughan added: “As a soldier you are taught to fight with any weapon you have and my weapon is social media.

“Mike Black and I have been fighting the council for four years. They alone should have show the respect a war memorial deserves and are solely responsible for this debacle.

“I would like to give credit to the members of the Veterans Association Pontypool Branch and to Caroline Coombes and Bruce Kilshaw, who have fought alongside me to get where we are now.”

Pontypool Community Council have supported the veterans campaign and welcomed a resolution to the parking problem.

Spokesman Bryn Parker, said: “The people of Pontypool value their war heroes and do not want obstructions in front of the gates and the newly sited commemorative war memorial bench.

“This is more a matter of respect than money and we are glad the problem has been permanently addressed.”

Torfaen County Borough Council's leader, Cllr Bob Wellington CBE, added: “The installation of these removable bollards has been supported by a number of small scheme donations from councillors and Pontypool Community Council.

“While it is sometimes necessary for vehicles to stop in this area to carry out essential maintenance, the bollards will prevent ad-hoc parking by drivers using this spot as a convenient parking space, and should ensure the public can pay their respects at the memorial gates.”

Gwent Police have also committed to seeking a “long term solution” that will prevent illegal parking on the war memorial and support the bollard installations.

Torfaen inspector, David Morgan, said: “If a vehicle is seen to be committing an offence by patrolling officers, then my expectation is that they will deal robustly with what they witness.

“If members of the public have any issues with illegal parking in their area, please contact Gwent Police on 101.”

Work on the bollards will start in November this year and the council hope to complete the work ready for Armistice Day services.