PLANS to combat Gwent boy racers should not be abandoned because of Monmouthshire county council's climbdown on car parking fees.

That is the view of a mayor who wants measures brought in to stop anti-social behaviour in the county's car parks.

Last month, the county council decided not to fight a judicial review into its plans to introduce charges at previously free car parks in Usk, Chepstow and Abergavenny.

A High Court judge, Mr Justice Lloyd Jones, had earlier granted leave to campaigners, who claimed there had not been proper consultation on the issue, to launch a judicial review against the order.

But included in the controversial plans were measures to tackle boy racers congregating in car parks and driving around them.

Usk mayor Liz Fleming still wants those implemented and said the three town councils were working with their parent authority over which specific elements of the order would go ahead.

"We would like some parts of the order to remain," she said. "We are hoping that measures to deal with anti-social behaviour aren't lost."

Town councillors are now waiting for Monmouthshire county council to publish the final version of the order.

Meanwhile, Usk town councillor Tony Kear welcomed the county council's decision not to defend a judicial review, hailing it as a victory for "local democracy".

He said: "This result can only be for the current and long-term benefit to Usk."

He said traders in the town were encouraged by the move and residents were relieved that workers would get still get free parking, meaning they were less likely to park in residential side streets.

The county council had said bringing in the car park charges would raise £100,000 in income. The 12 free car parks are in Usk, Chepstow, Abergavenny, Caldicot, Gilwern, Goytre and Magor.

The council now says the cost of managing and maintaining car parks will be met by council tax payers rather than car park users.

The decision does not affect an increase in parking charges on paid-for car parks introduced at the same time.