SHOPPERS in Pontypool have spoken positively about the decision to improve the town’s CCTV coverage.

The town’s community council has agreed to commit more than £14,000 into new equipment in order to replace four broken cameras.

It was questioned whether repairing them would be enough, but the decision to replace them and provide a new evening control system has pleased shoppers and traders.

Owner of Osborne Lodge Nursery, Nikola Masters, said: “It has been a well known secret that they need replacing. Perhaps it’s been a little cheeky of them to not have done it sooner but I am delighted that they have made this decision.

“The town is busy in the evenings and on weekends so this extended period is good for the people and for the businesses.”

Bob Davies, of nearby Pontnewynydd, said: “We have been aware of the CCTV problems in the town and no doubt it is a protective measure for the traders as well as providing some more of a deterrent.

“Knowing that we will have this improvement will provide a lot of people with peace of mind.”

Shirley Bridgeman, of Conway Road, added: “It’s about time, when you see how the town can be at night then you need CCTV cameras that actually work. I think it is exactly what the council should spend its money on.”

At the meeting of the full Pontypool council last Wednesday, members made it clear that they were unanimous on the need for the town to have completely new cameras after the agenda initially stated the discussions were just for the old ones to be repaired.

Brynwern ward councillor Nick Simons, said at a council meeting last week: “I thought we had agreed to replace the cameras rather than repairing them.”

Cllr Matthew Ford agreed: “The current cameras are not fit for purpose. I do not know why we are discussing them being repaired when they need to be replaced as we have previously discussed.”

Currently the full figure for the work on the new CCTV cameras is £14,860. However, members expressed a feeling that this was too expensive and there is likely to be future discussions on the cost.

Cllr Norma Parrish of Sebastopol East, said: “I would like to see exactly what it’s spent on.”

Cllr Ford added: “I want an investigation into the CCTV as its very important and for that amount of money we need a tidy service.”