Dealing with the increasing problem of HGV lorries using Usk as a short cut is high on the agenda of the newly-elected Town Council. The present traffic orders prohibit all vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes to access Bridge Street or Usk River Bridge unless they require access to a premises on, or adjacent to, the prescribed restricted route.

The Council has been aware since last year of the need to replace the current 3 traffic orders relating to heavy vehicles driving through Usk with one order which will m ake the restrictions easier to understand and enforce. At the same time it was announced that heavy traffic clogging up Bridge Street and the town bridge is causing unacceptably high levels of pollution in this part of the town.

Monmouthshire County Council has now commissioned Highways Consultants Capita Simmons to undertake a commercial vehicle survey, to report the findings and make recommendations for a new traffic order. It was suggested that funds should be raised to support an additional police officer in to enforce any new traffic regulations, but this would mean increasing local precept charges.

Usk councillors have also called for higher penalty fines for breaking any new traffic order, and better signage on the approach roads to Usk so that drivers know in good time to avoid the town.

Mayor Tony Kear said, "Given the proven links between increased heavy goods traffic and the high levels of pollution, the Town Council has been asked to lead a task force to tackle the illegally parked vehicles in Bridge Street which result in stationary idling vehicles which cause the pollution."

However, several traders have pointed out that, with no rear access to the shops through the main car park in Usk, traffic delays are often caused by delivery vans and lorries who have no choice but to stop in Bridge street when off-loading supplies.

Residents are also concerned that if the current exemptions to lorries travelling over Usk bridge remain in place, which include vehicles going to Llanbadoc industrial estate, Gwent college, and the Royal Ordnance Factory, then it will be impossible to reduce the number of vehicles significantly.

With 70% of issues raised at recent Usk police station surgeries related to these traffic problems, Cllr. Kear said, "We reluctantly accept that these matters will not be solved quickly but they rightly remain at the top of our agenda as the future economic viability of the Town is as risk if no action is taken."