A LEADING councillor has suggested that an increase in fines for lorry operators ignoring the weight restrictions at Usk bridge could be a solution to the historic bridge that is being constantly damaged.

The suggestion follows the latest incident to the grade-II listed bridge on September 22, when the wall was hit again by an Heavy Goods Vehicle which created another large hole in its structure - the same area that was repaired 12 times last year.

Councillor Bryan Jones said that the problem with Usk bridge was an ongoing issue that needed to be resolved.

He said, "We now have Close Circuit Television cameras installed on the bridge and we can use this evidence to identify the perpetrators as it costs the authority thousands of pounds each time the bridge needs substantial repairs.

"We have the details of the lorry which crashed into the wall in September and thanks to the CCTV cameras we have evidence of the offending lorry and will be chasing the operator for the cost of repairs to the bridge. "

But a long term solution to the problem is not an easy one to resolve.

Councillor Jones explains: "We are very aware of the problems of Usk bridge but if the solution had been an easy one to resolve we would have done it by now.

"We are looking at all the options as it's not just a traffic problem. As Usk is a tourist destination combined with local residents there are always lots of people walking over the bridge and we understand Usk town council's concerns for people's safety and having stationary vehicles in the town is also not an option.

"We are looking at several measures which could be as simple as white lines being painted on the road to guide drivers of lorries through the tight bend on the bridge.

"There is also a suggestion to install lorry activated traffic lights to allow them to cross without having to face oncoming traffic, however this could add to the pollution problems of stationary vehicles in Usk itself."

But the councillor for nearby Goytre Fawr ward said that the main problem as the economics of the situation.

Councillor Jones said: "The maximum fine for ignoring the 7.5 tonne weight limit is only £30 whereas the cost of using the trunk roads to get to the same point is about the same.  Lorry operators are taking their chances because if they get caught they would only end up being fined the same amount that it would have cost them to go the long way round."

The councillor outlined the problem and said they would like to  shorten the distance of the traffic order as suggested by Usk Town Council to prevent lorries using the bridge.

"As an authority we would like to implement this, but we are hampered because where you start and end an order as you need a turning circle large enough for lorries to turn around," said Councillor Jones.

"In Usk we don't have the space to do this, which is why the order is located so far from the Usk bridge, and this results in a greater distance making it almost impossible to enforce."    

Asked what could be done to improve the situation, Councillor Jones suggested:  "Perhaps we should be behind a campaign to get the fine increased as this is currently not a deterrent.

"The cost to the authority of implementing a solution to solve the problems of Usk bridge is not an issue for the authority. It's a priority concern to Monmouthshire County Council and doing nothing is not an option."