I was pleased to see representatives from Monmouthshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) at a community meeting in Skenfrith last Thursday evening to discuss ongoing issues around a flood defence plan. NRW said it now sees the kind of flooding events that have caused damage to homes in Skenfrith as a 1 in 10 event and not a 1 in 100 event. But the problem is that despite recognising the urgency of the problem, NRW has paused the Skenfrith flood project for six months due to a shortfall of £100,000. This is extremely disappointing for everyone living in the village. £100,000 may sound like a lot of money but when you consider NRW manages an annual budget of £230-250m, it is a drop in the ocean. Even if just one house is badly flooded, the damage could cost more than £100,000. NRW must get on with delivering the Skenfrith scheme as quickly as possible and the Welsh Government should be encouraging them to do so.
While I am opposed to blanket 20mph restrictions being rolled out across every part of Wales, I am not against speed limits per se where they are needed. I am very supportive of 20mph zones outside schools, playgrounds, residential care homes, high streets and other busy pedestrian areas. There is also an argument for looking at the national speed limit on rural roads where there are increased numbers of people living. For example, I visited Pantygelli on the Old Hereford Road out of Abergavenny over the weekend and met with concerned residents. Drivers certainly go too quickly through the hamlet and I had to brake sharply myself to avoid a car on a mostly narrow and winding country road with no central markings. Indeed, I believe residents are not exaggerating when they say they walk along the road in fear. A strong case can certainly be made to reduce the speed limit here from 60mph to perhaps 30mph, which would be quite appropriate. I hope highways officials from Monmouthshire County Council will go and take a look to see what can be done for this community.
Monmouth Field and History Society has applied to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales for funding to produce a new guidebook for Monmouth town. It is an application I am proud to support. The society is run by several well-known and highly regarded people in the constituency and this is a very deserving cause. I wish everyone involved the best of luck in their endeavours.
*Published in the Monmouthshire Beacon on 29 November 2023 and Abergavenny Chronicle on 30 November 2023*