PEOPLE can have their say on proposed ‘pedestrian friendly’ plans to pave a town centre square and improve a high street this week.

The first ‘engagement session’ outlining schemes set to cost more than £0.5m in Agincourt Square and Monnow Street, Monmouth, was due to take place last night (Tuesday, July 16), but another is scheduled at the town’s Shire Hall on Saturday (July 20).

The historic market town centre has been the source of discussions for the past decade, with many views on how to improve the area.

A Monmouthshire Council spokesperson said the engagement would help shape the detail of the development, scheduled to start in November and continue until May 2020, with the aim of creating a public space where pedestrians were welcome.

“Traffic will continue to flow but the enhancements will make the area more pedestrian-friendly,” they said.

“The work will bring high-quality surfaces and landscaping with an aim to better manage the traffic in the area to improve accessibility and safety.

“All these design considerations will create the environment and sense of space to transform the area into a historic, cultural destination.

“The council will support local shops and businesses while the work takes place to ensure the town continues to be a popular choice for residents and visitors to shop local.”

Monmouthshire County Council has acquired £450,000 of Welsh Government funding for the scheme, alongside £90,000 from the council’s own highways budget and £45,000 from Monmouth Town Council.

The county council has said disruption will be kept to a minimum, but there will be a road closure of four weeks.

Proposed changes in Agincourt Square, which will become a ’shared space’ with pedetrians given priority, include wider walking areas and a resin bonded stone raod surface.

Designers claim it will transform the area from the present “traffic-dominated highway” to an “iconic cultural destination”.

The county council spokesperson added: “A reduction in the carriageway width is an established method to reduce traffic speeds.

“The scheme will not address the passing issue that is occasionally encountered in Priory Street, but it will seek to address the indiscriminate parking that adds to the traffic congestion.”

The plans will be available throughout Saturday to view, while presentations are also planned on the proposed design, street layouts, timescales and the funding streams.

Cllr Jane Pratt, Monmouthshire Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This is an exciting development for Monmouth and will provide residents and visitors with a safer space to walk through to socialise and shop.”

Saturday’s drop-in takes place from 9am to 1pm, with in-depth presentations at 10am and 12 noon. 

Residents can also share their thoughts via the online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GJ8Z9F7