Although the number of Covid-19 cases have diminished, the virus has not gone away and that without caution, in particular observing social distancing, there is the risk of further cases and even deaths. While some residents feel confident returning to our shopping streets, many others are not. Unless safe shopping environments can be created, many of our shops, particularly in smaller towns, will not survive.

At present, footfall in Usk’s Bridge Street is still low. There is work to be done to enable shoppers and visitors to feel safe returning to the shops in order to regenerate local businesses. Usk could be at risk of major decline should many of its valued businesses go under.

Monmouthshire County Council believes firmly that it is its duty to help provide a safe environment for shoppers – and this means making sure people are able to safely social distance. Whether the guidance stays at a 2-metre distance, or this is reduced to one, social distancing is a challenge in Bridge Street.

A one-way pedestrian system, requiring a new pedestrian crossing was rejected. Apart from technical issues, it was anticipated that many people, wishing only to use shops on the one side of the street, would ignore the requirement to cross the road twice to return to the car park.

“Doing nothing is not an option at this stage,” said Councillor Bob Greenland, Deputy Leader of Monmouthshire County Council. “The Town Council, wishing to avoid a one-way system, proposed traffic lights whereas the council’s preferred option was for a temporary one-way traffic system. The closure of Bridge Street to traffic for gas main works in 2018 and the two-way diversion then, worked much better than many expected and while it is understood that many local residents may not wish for this one-way system to be tried, it is essential if we are to achieve social distance along Bridge Street. 

“What is proposed now is a part only of those diversions that were effective two years ago.  The trial one-way system will be installed and monitored carefully by officers and adjustments can be made, if deemed necessary and appropriate,” explained Councillor Greenland. “We are open to feedback, which can be submitted via the council’s website, and will be monitoring the measures closely.”

As part of these measures, the parking prohibition by the fish and chip restaurant remains in place and the council is seeking to work with the police to enforce the current HGV restrictions.

*Feedback to these measures may be given via Monty the Chatbot (the icon on the bottom right of this screen).