TRADERS in Aberga-venny vowed to continue their fight against a road closure which they claim is ruining business.

Earlier this week, Monmouthshire county council announced it was to continue with the trial closure of Cross Street, despite a 1,200-signature petition protesting against it.

But at a meeting of more than 30 local traders in the town yesterday it was decided that the fight to open the road would continue.

And the traders have agreed to invite Monmouthshire county council's cabinet members to meet and discuss the issue with them.

Neil McDonald, who represents the Abergavenny Market Traders Association, told the Argus that although he has had a stall on the market for nearly 50 years, his business may now be in jeopardy.

He said: "We are angry that we were never consulted about the plan to close Cross Street.

"Since the road was closed traders have seen a 20 to 30 per cent decrease in business. We will fight against the closure all the way because it's directly affecting our livelihoods."

The Bryn y Cwm area committee decided two years ago to close Cross Street to through traffic between 11am and 4pm every day, but it was only implemented in December.

After complaints from local traders the street was opened in the week before Christmas but the barriers were re-instated in January.

Now the local traders say they are so unhappy about the situation they are considering protests and legal action against the council.

Neil Herring's wife and daughter run the Studio One hair salon on Cross Street.

He said: "When the road was open a lot of men would park up on Cross Street and pop in for a quick trim.

"But since the road has been closed we have seen a 50 per cent fall in our male business.

"We can't continue like this." Councillor Giles Howard, the council's cabinet member for highways, said this week the closure needed more time.

He added: "Once the order has been implemented over a continuous period of time I will report to the council in early April on the effectiveness of he scheme and whether a permanent order should be sought."