Sixteen years ago, an idea to turn some green space into an ’overspill’ car park was suggested.

It has now been nearly four years since that plan for Wyebridge car park was submitted to help ease the ’blockage’ at Glendower Street Car Park and provide low-cost spaces for shop workers and shoppers alike.Nearly three years ago in March 2017, the plans were approved at county level, yet the space is still green, and vacant!The plans were submitted at the same time as the 95-space park on Rockfield Road which has been in use for over a year now.With the crucial Christmas shopping period a life-line for many of the small businesses at the top of town, car parking spaces are at a premium and tales of shoppers driving around fruitlessly looking for spaces frustrate businesses looking for trade.Monmouthshire County Council has said that it is hoped the the Wyebridge Street car park will be constructed: “in spring 2020, subject to the approval of a new planning application and sustainable drainage scheme.” “Engineers are currently preparing a revised design to meet these requirements,” a spokesperson told the Beacon.The car park was championed by former chair of the town’s business group, David Cummings, who welcomed the news in back March 2016.“The Chamber has long had the view that improving the infrastructure of our town is the key to maintaining the benefit for local businesses,” he said at the time.“Top-of-town retailers very much welcome the submission of plans for the new 40-plus space long stay car park off Wyebridge Street,” he added.In December 2016, Monmouth Town Council recommended approval for the car park - although the spaces were down to 39 - and in March 2017, the county council gave the go-ahead.Initially the access was to be via Granville Street past the Nags Head, but this was changed to what was deemed a more sensible entry at Wyebridge Street with the loss of five car parking spaces.The money was there: Roger Hoggins, Head of Operations said in 2017 that the funds were earmarked for the site.The need was there too. One of the criticisms of Glendower Street was that it offered all-day parking and meant cars would be parked all day, although this has since changed to a four hour stay.Sherren McCabe-Finlayson, chair of Monmouth Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news, that the Wyebridge car park should get underway in 2020: “Any additional parking in Monmouth should be a huge boost to our high street especially St Mary’s Street, Church Street, Priory Street, White Swan and Beaufort Arms Courtyards,” she said.The move is likely to prove popular with business owners too. One shopkeeper told the Beacon this week that Monmouth “does not have enough parking so wherever they put a car park, we will benefit”. Another said that the problem was the town is built on a slope. “Elderly people in Monmouth struggle to shop at the top end of town because of it,” they added. Another was concerned that the cars leaving the park would head towards the A40 “their satnav will take them that way”.The county council has once again announced it will provide free weekend parking in all council-owned car parks on 7th, 14th and 21st December in the run up to Christmas.