CHEPSTOW High Street could be closed to traffic once a month so that community events can take place.

The pilot scheme, if introduced on a trial basis, is being proposed by Monmouthshire council to encourage more community events to be held on one Saturday each month.

It is estimated that the costs including preparing a schedule of planned road closures, advanced road closure signs for the first year and one-off training for community stewards, would be around £25,000.

Chepstow High Street has often been closed in the past for events to be held and has proven popular with businesses and attracting visitors to the town.

The car-free day could also bring commercial benefits and help in tackling the problems of air pollution caused by traffic using Hardwick Hill as the initiative would reduce the reliance on journeys in and around Chepstow.

The town council and Chepstow marketing group want to offer more community events within the town and has previously looked to close off the town centre to traffic on a regular basis to support events.

However, the cost of organising this in terms of legal notices and temporary traffic signage has limited the number of events within the town centre.

But providing permanent flip down signage at key locations on the approach to the town will considerably reduce the cost of organising such events and allow other scheduled events throughout the year.

The cost of the signage on an annual basis will be met from the council’s highways budget.

Monmouthshire council has asked the Lower Wye area committee to endorse the proposal.