Workmen have begun to widen the road in St Thomas’ Square by taking over three feet off the roundabout on either end.

It took some motorists and a county councillor, Cllr Jane Lucas, by surprise as she said there seems to have been no prior notification to the work.

The Beacon has been informed by the town clerk that the work is being done as part of the active travel plans for the town.

The active travel plans began with the widening of the pavement in the Drybridge and Wonastow Road area.

The town clerk, Caitlin Williams said that Cllr Steve Garratt is a part of the active travel works and so may be able to shed more light on the situation.

Councillor Jane Lucas contacted the Beacon to ask why this work was being carried out seemingly without any prior notice she was aware of.

We spoke to the workmen who said that the chevrons were being moved back behind the flower bed and the blue mark indicates how much of the roundabout is being taken back.

They said that it was to make negotiation of the roundabout easier for larger traffic.

The mark indicating how much will be taken off the roundabout
The blue mark indicates where the roundabout will be taken back to (Des Pugh)

At the centre of the roundabout is an historic Cross. Originally mediaeval, and also known as Overmonnow Cross, the cross was reconstructed in 1888 and has been classed as a Grade II listed structure since 15 August 1974. Some nineteenth century sources suggest that the original cross was in existence before 1039. Monmouthshire County Council have been contacted for a comment.