Business owners in Abergavenny say illegal parking in the town is choking off custom and causing major disruption to their livelihoods.

Last week’s inaugural meeting of the newly formed trade organisation the Y Fenni Business Community heard that the lack of traffic wardens in Abergavenny meant drivers often parked in loading bays and outside shops, causing problems for businesses and shoppers.

Iolande Jackson-Johns, owner of Jewellery Exchange on Market Street, said the problem had worsened in the six years she had been trading in Abergavenny.

“We are constantly plagued by vans, cars and lorries who park right outside our shop. We have to line up three signs to stop people parking there, but they often move them.

“It’s quite entertaining sometimes, watching drivers try and squeeze into the space, despite the three signs meant to stop them.

“Sometimes they even move the signs, completely obliterating the view of our shop. With a jewellery store like ours, the shop window is everything.

“It massively affects trade, and sadly, it can invite confrontation. Some people can get aggressive and very rude. I’m just there to run a business. I’m not confrontational.

“Sometimes on market day, a van will park right outside by 8am, before we get there, and not move until the afternoon. We pay business rates, but in effect we don’t have a shop window.

“We have been here six years, and unfortunately it’s definitely getting worse. There don’t seem to be any traffic wardens left these days. Something needs to be done,” she said.

Local police officers take an active approach to the problem, often issuing fines to illegally parked vehicles and attempting a more consensual solution via social media by underlining the issues caused by someone who may innocently park where they shouldn’t.

PC Adam Hollings, of Abergavenny station, said, “As with every town centre, inconsiderate parking and parking offences cause frustration to road users, local businesses, homeowners and visitors to the town.

“Abergavenny is a busy town and illegal parkers can cause havoc to the traffic flow. Since September 2016 more than 80 tickets have been issued by our officers alone.

“Parking is one aspect of a range of issues our PCSOs deal with daily and they will take enforcement action where necessary. Officers will be patrolling the area and please remember there is a £30 fine if caught parking illegally.

“We are in continual talks with the local authority to discuss enforcement action to ensure there is a consistent approach to tackling the issue,” he said.

Tudor Thomas, an Abergavenny councillor, said the county council should assume control, freeing up local police and PCSOs for their more pressing duties.

“There is undoubtedly an issue with parking generally. I was at the Chamber of Trade meeting last week. The worst of it is probably on a Tuesday. We’ve got issues in Market Street because the change of layout means some people will pull up in front of the shops,” he said.

It’s not just business owners which are affected, as those dependent on mobility scooters also voiced complaints.

“I’ve also spoken to some people in mobility groups who find it very difficult to traverse down Market Street on a Tuesday. If you’re on a battery-operated scooter, it’s a job to get down there with cars parked and cars travelling down,” said the councillor.

“There is undoubtedly an issue with parking generally. I was at the Y Fenni Business Community meeting last week. The worst of it is probably on a Tuesday. We’ve got issues in Market Street because the change of layout means some people will pull up in front of the shops,” said Councillor Thomas.

It’s not just business owners which are affected, as those dependent on mobility scooters also voiced complaints.

“I’ve also spoken to some people in mobility groups who find it very difficult to traverse down Market Street on a Tuesday.

“If you’re on a battery-operated scooter, it’s a job to get down there with cars parked and cars travelling down,” said the councillor.

Councillor Thomas added that a number of traders agreed that parking issues should be handed to Monmouthshire County Council, who could draft traffic wardens to take over.

“PCSOs are there to build links with the community. They have the authority to issue parking tickets, but do they really want to do that?,” he added.

Lucy Hywel, a representative of Y Fenni Business Community, said the illegally parked vehicles got a free pass, and the area was under policed, despite the efforts of local officers and PCSOs.

“We have people habitually parking where they shouldn’t. All day. There’s no police presence, and the markings are incorrect so that adds to the confusion.

“The taxis take up vital space, without using the rank, and you have lorries parked in the spaces set out for taxis. Vans also park in the taxi rank, so nobody knows where they should be.

“The big problem is that the area is not policed properly, and people know that, which causes all sorts of problems. We get people parked in disabled spaces without a badge.

“Lorries often park in the loading bays outside the shops, often blocking the view.

“I think the responsibility needs to be passed on. There’s better use of police time. We don’t need to implement draconian standards, but people need to know that if they park illegally and cause these problems there will be a ticket at the end of it.

“From a business point of view, the current arrangement isn’t working at all,” she said.

Roger Hoggins, head of operations at MCC, said the council would consider working with local police to solve the issue, with traffic wardens possibly being deployed to the area to free up police.

“The council’s officers would be happy to work with Gwent Police colleagues where this might help to alleviate the problem,” he said.

Gwent Police have offered for anyone with a parking issue in their area to contact them via the website, or drop by Abergavenny station to discuss the matters with an officer.