MONMOUTH Town and County Councillor Jane Lucas has expressed her delight after months of lobbying Monmouthshire County Council about struggling traders, that free short stay parking is being introduced at Cornwall House and Weybridge Street Car parks between 8th July and 31st August as an incentive for shoppers to return and remind everyone that local businesses are fully open to trade this summer.

After weeks of action personally clearing weeds, Cllr Lucas’s back breaking work will now see MCC focusing in on clearing up the roads and pavements including removing of weeds in the town centre and surrounding areas.

Cllr Lucas said this is great news for traders and its long overdue and I have no doubt brought about following the public meeting that I asked for at last Full Council Meeting on behave of the Traders and organised by the Chamber of Commerce. I’m pleased there will a number of interventions to promote local businesses and allow residents and visitors to enjoy all that Monmouth town centre has to offer.

We all know that during the past few months, several projects have been taking place in Monmouth town as various organisations carry out essential maintenance or improvement work. This summer, Welsh Water have been undertaking work in Monmouth, leading to road closures throughout the town. This is currently being seen on Agincourt Square, with a road closure from the 2nd to the end of July as Welsh Water installs a new pipe before moving onto Priory Street.

Equally this was combined with the difficulties that the A40 rock slip caused earlier in the year, and this continues to impact tourism travel into Monmouth.

I’m proud of my campaigns and make no apologies for calling this. Traders’ voices have been ignored and not prioritised until now. These outcomes will see MCC supporting the Chamber with information for their collective applications for business rate relief on the back of the A40 and DCWW impact on businesses.

Additionally, MCC have said they will continue to work closely with the National Highways team and will be supporting them at their open day events in Monmouth Town at the end of July. These events will give residents and businesses an opportunity to find out about progress so far and the next steps in managing the rock slip.

It makes sense that the free car parking sites have been chosen as they are located close to the town centre, providing visitors with two hours of free parking to enjoy all the amenities Monmouth Town Centre offers. I’ve wanted to establish volunteering groups and build a new working partnership within the town to ensure Monmouth remains a place to shop and visit. This is now the starting point and I look forward to building the momentum and will be liaising with Usk County Councillor Tony Kear who has led the way with volunteer group Usk in Bloom.