ANOTHER consultation will take place in six months to discuss the need for a barrier at Fairfield car park despite the majority of Bryn-y-Cwm council members being against the idea.

In a bid to stop long term problems with boy racers Monmouthshire County Council plans to install a barrier at the entrance of the car park and crocodile teeth at the exit.

Funding has been lost to install the barrier this year, however, if there is still a need at the next financial year, a barrier may be installed.

Despite a suggested closing time of 10pm, there has been objections from many community groups who use the car park, including the Girl Guides, Scouts, St John Ambulance and Abergavenny Rugby Club. They are worried about access for emergency services, lose of numbers and the financial implication. The organisations will each be given a key to the barrier which will be left open later should they have a function on at their club.

At the recent Bryn-y-Cwm Area Committee meeting a emotive debate took place about the barrier, in attendance was Abergavenny police Inspector Fran Richley who said that it is one element of the solution, not the solution. Inspector Richley said, "Since landing here, the Fairfield car park has come up time and time again, I have looked at the statistics recently and over the last few years, they show that it is a problem that need to be gripped quite firmly. I am firmly of the view a barrier is one element of reducing anti social behaviour in our town."

Abergavenny town councillor and chairman of the conservation club, Martin Hickman told members, "I understand that the barrier is coming, we are vehemently against it."

Residents who live alongside the car park have campaigned for many years for a barrier to installed to stop boy racers using the car park at nigh

The meeting was also read letters against the barrier written to the council by the Rugby Club and the Constitution Club.

Also secured for the car park is CCTV camera which will assist the barrier, the remote camera can be moved to other problem areas.

Councillor Roger Harris said, "The CCTV is going to be a vital element, an element that needs to be progressed before going full hog, then may be we won't need the barrier."

County Councillor Eric Saxon, cabinet member for Highways, said, "I have formed the opinion that on balance most seem to be against it than for it. But my view is that we should revisit this and make a further decision in six months time. It is not an urgent decision because money it not available yet."