POLICE have promised to crack down on illegal parking causing traffic chaos in Monmouth town centre.

Pinch points at the top and bottom of Agincourt Square are frequently obstructed by unlawfully parked vehicles on yellow lines and in loading bays, causing delays and safety hazards, with vehicles even driving on the pavement to get by.

And now police say they will be taking ‘robust’ action against ‘deliberate offences’.

One shopkeeper described the situation as a ‘nightmare’, with cars parked three-deep in the square, which includes the Shire Hall where Monmouth Town Council meet.

The move has been welcomed by councillors as long overdue.

Town mayor Cllr Chris Munslow said: “Priory Street in particular suffers major problems with illegal parking. Where the road narrows by Monmouth Museum before entering the square, lots of vehicles have to go up on the pavement

“I saw a coach last week have to reverse because there was something coming the other way and it couldn’t get through. It makes it so difficult and it definitely needs looking at.”

Cllr Stuart Wilson added: “We’ve had an issue with illegal parking in the town centre for a long time, which obstructs the flow of traffic along the length of Monnow Street. We’ve been asking for years for tough action. Inconsiderate parking holds up lorries and buses, causing congestion.

“People are parking on the double yellow lines outside Barclays Bank, in the loading bay by the Punch House pub, opposite the Iceland store and on the pavement by the Shire Hall.

“This causes hold ups in Priory Street, where the road is narrow, and at the new pinch point at the bottom of Agincourt Square going into Monnow Street and beyond.

“There are also parking problems by Monnow Bridge at the bottom of the high street, which is supposed to be just for emergency ambulance use.

“We’ve had a few issues with cyclists coming over the bridge suddenly meeting moving cars, which they can’t see because their view is obstructed by illegally parked cars.”

Cllr Munslow said the town council has asked recently appointed Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert to consider handing over responsibility for enforcement of on-street parking to Monmouthshire Coun­ty Council.

Cllr Wilson added: “My fear is that the police will take action for a short time, then leave it, as they don’t have the time. Enforcement by Monmouth’s car park wardens would be a better solution.”

One shopkeeper, who didn’t want to be named, said of the parking situation: “It’s a nightmare. In Agincourt Square, cars are parked three-to-four deep and people are doing u-turns, which is pretty dangerous. We’ve got cars parked 100 per cent in front of our shop.”

Not everyone backed tougher action though, Punch House pub manager Matt Edwards saying: “Near our premises, it’s mostly people popping to the bank’s cashpoint. I don’t think there’s a huge problem.”

Town officer PC Chris Butt said: “We are monitoring parking obstructions, in particular on Priory Street, Agincourt Square and the Town Arch.

“We have also received complaints of inconsiderate parking and overstaying offences in town loading bays. We will be checking these areas daily and obvious, deliberate offences will be dealt with robustly.”

Vehicles causing obstructions and overstaying in loading bays can receive a fixed penalty notice of £30, with vehicles located on zig-zag lines near traffic crossings liable to incur a £60 fixed penalty notice and three points.

“Parking in loading bays for excessive amounts of time forces delivery wagons and vans, who are going about their legitimate business, to double park. This causes massive obstruction to the highway and general flow of traffic through the town centre.”