A CHEPSTOW neighbourhood was the scene of a dramatic stand-off yesterday between council-contracted construction workers and angry residents.

Monmouthshire councillors arrived at St George Road in Bulwark hoping to stage an opening ceremony of a controversial skatepark.

The ceremony was to be followed by work beginning on the site, known locally as Piggy's Hill, behind St George Road.

But the party was spoiled by nearly 30 residents who were protesting at the four days' notice they say they were given over the project beginning - and the damage they claim work will do to their homes.

Residents say they were told up to ten 30-tonne trucks would be passing through a day to complete the £145,000 scheme over ten weeks - and would be using a footpath that comes within feet of two houses on the street.

There is no other access to the site. Resident Steven Champion, a mechanic in the construction industry, said: "The vibrations of a truck that size so close to my property could undermine the foundations, the roof, the walls, it could cause untold damage and someone would have to pay."

Residents sat in chairs blocking off a footpath, the only access workers in trucks could use to access the site.

Police were on hand to keep the situation calm.

Mr Champion, 45, who had also parked his Mercedes across the pathway, promised to sit for as long as it took to get some assurances out of the council and contractors Blakedown Landscapes from Bristol.

After hours of careful negotiation, an agreement was struck whereby the council would delay work until independent surveys are carried out of the road's drains and the condition of the houses concerned.

Manager of Blakedown Landscapes, Lee Probert, said there would be no need to close the park or the footpath and that pedestrians could still access Chepstow without using Bulwark Corner, an infamous section of the A48 which has a history of accidents.

A council spokesman said: "We'll give residents written assurances in writing that the vibration damage caused will be covered by insurance."