ANOTHER Abergavenny town centre street is to be pedestrianised in an experimental scheme.

Upper Cross Street will be traffic free for at least five hours a day, despite reservations of some traders.

Members of the Bryn y Cwm area committee gave the go-ahead for an experimental closure order to be made for Upper Cross Street from the Angel Hotel between 11am and 4pm. High Street is already pedestrianised.

Councillors wanted to see Upper Cross Street closed from 10am but after consulting traders, Market Hall users and residents, it was agreed to amend the order to 11am to give more time for deliveries.

There were also concessions for the Borough Theatre because of the need for touring companies to unload heavy scenery, and for people who use the private car parking in Nevill Street.

Barriers will be erected every day. Traffic engineer Bill Parsons said it will now take 28 days to advertise the traffic order, then the council will consider objections and amend the order if needed, so that will take a minimum of 12 weeks.

Scott Young, Monmouthshire county council's regeneration officer, said 39 per cent of people who completed the survey were in favour of the closure, 32 per cent against, and 29 per cent were in favour provided there were conditions.

The order was discussed by Abergavenny Chamber of Trade. John Bannon said: "In an ideal world, all traders would like to see a traffic-free town centre, but we can't tell a delivery service they can only call before 11am."

CAIR, the group for the disabled, said their members are not opposed to pedestrianisation in principle, but a Shopmobility scheme is essential.