RESIDENTS have reacted angrily to a decision by Monmouth Town Council (MTC) to change the way Active Travel plans are discussed for the town.

The original group was made up of members of the community who were allowed to discuss issues and have their decisions acted upon.

However MTC changed the Active Travel, Pedestrian and Transport working group to a sub-committee of the People and Places committee.

The council says the changes were needed to allow all councillors to be part of the discussion.

A spokesperson for MTC said: "This change will allow all councillors to be a part of the discussion, and will ensure that members of the public can continue to work with the council on all matters relating to active travel in Monmouth.

"This decision was made to ensure that all town councillors and members of the public remain fully informed and a part of recommendations made regarding active travel in our town.

"Concerns have been raised regarding the potential lack of public involvement as a result of the change.

"Those who have attended Town Council meetings will be aware that there is the opportunity for public participation at every meeting.

"This will be the same for the Active Travel sub-committee and it is hoped that those who have supported the group to date, will continue this support with the subcommittee.

"The Town Council remains fully committed to working with Monmouthshire County Council in respect of current and future consultations, with groups such as Sustrans and with projects such as the Wye Pedestrian Bridge."

However the decision has caused an angry reaction from residents and members of Monmouth Civic Society who issued a statement saying: "Monmouth Civic Society deplores the decision of the town council to disband its Active Travel Working Group.

"Under the inspiring and energetic leadership of Cllr Emma Bryn, the Group was a valuable forum for all members of the public to give their views.

"We understand that community members joining the town council People and Places sub committee will have their participation restricted.

"They will be sent agendas and an information pack and can attend the new Active Travel meetings, BUT they must request permission to talk, for a maximum of 10 minutes, three days before the meeting, and will not be allowed to discuss any decision of town councillors.

"The community members would be assumed to agree and support the decision of the town council when they wouldn’t have a chance to discuss it."

They added: "the Council believes that this change will enable the views of the local residents to be better and more fully represented when considering active travel."

The item was placed on the agenda by former mayor Cllr Mat Feakins. In a lengthy tirade, he accused the group of and overreaching their duties. He added that because the group were not reporting back to full council the residents’ views of all of the council wards could not be heard.

He said: "The active travel group seems hell bent on doing everything for cyclists and nothing for anyone else."

Lead councillor for the group Cllr Bryn was asked to respond.

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