Plans to ensure this summer’s National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny runs smoothly have been unveiled by Monmouthshire County Council, as final preparations draw to a close.

Officials at MCC moved to lay-out the details as Abergavenny prepares to host the premier Welsh culture event, amid concerns from an assembly member regarding town centre traffic problems.

Around 150,000 people are expected to visit Abergavenny over the week-long language and culture festival beginning July 29, this year, with MCC expecting a big boost to the local economy.

It will be the first time the festival has visited Monmouthshire since 1913.

The huge number of festival-goers expected, pushed Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay to request an urgent update from Welsh Government on the temporary traffic lights and scaffolding on Monk Street, which have been blamed for congestion and delays.

The street currently has a temporary one-lane system in place to ease traffic around scaffolding erected in January 2015, following a blaze. Locals have previously complained the measure causes peak-time congestion and tailbacks.

Mr Ramsay, said, “I was assured that the temporary lights would be removed by now, and certainly well before the Eisteddfod.

“Unfortunately although additional scaffolding has recently be removed from The George Hotel, one of the buildings damaged by the fire doesn’t look as if it has been repaired, and there’s no sign of the scaffolding being removed.

“Until this happens, the temporary lights will have to remain in place, with the continued traffic chaos at peak times in the town. Motorists are becoming increasingly frustrated by the long delays.

“I am pressing the minister for an update as a matter of urgency, so that the town will look at its best for tourists and visitors to the Eisteddfod. I hope it won’t be too long before this situation is resolved,” he said.

Acknowledging the recent traffic problems around the town centre, MCC assured plans were in place to minimise any disruptions to town dwellers, and visitors of the Eisteddfod.

A park and ride scheme will direct those travelling by car to one of three sites - Llanellen, Penpergwm, and Cwrt-y-Gollen, near Crickhowell - to the Maes. These measures will help avoid heavy traffic hitting the town centre.

MCC will also provide dedicated road signs directing visitors to the most appropriate park and ride site, with all information to be made available on the official Eisteddfod website for those planning ahead.

It is hoped town centre congestion problems will largely be avoided by bussing in the majority of visitors and dropping them off at Byefield car park, close to the main entrance on Castle Meadows.

Buses from Llanellen and Penpergwm will approach the town from the A465 Llanfoist interchange, whilst buses from Cwrt-y-Gollen will collect those travelling via Brecon Road.

Council plans will also encourage the expected 150,000 visitors to use public transport, with signage erected to highlight the proximity of rail and bus services to the Maes. An alternative an entrance via Mill Street will also be made available. 

Meanwhile, goods traffic will use an access route off Merthyr Road, and only during off-peak times.  A temporary clearway order on Merthyr Road will prohibit parking except at designated locations reserved for residents.

In a bid to minimise disruption, council bosses say waste and recycling services will continue as usual during the week hosting the Eisteddfod. However, collection crews may expect short delays.

Abergavenny and Usk services will be affected as service lorries operate from the Llanfoist Transfer station close to Eisteddfod site.

Residents are expected to place their recycling, or waste, for collection by 7 am.

Council bosses said they are taking a ‘proactive approach’ to ensure proceedings run without any problems, but concede some allowances for longer journey times and some congestion must be made.

A council spokesperson, said, “We have extensive plans in place to minimise any potential impact on residents during the week that the National Eisteddfod is held in Abergavenny. 

“These include a park and ride system that has been used successfully in previous Eisteddfodau and events like the Abergavenny Food Festival, as well as traffic management on Merthyr Road. 

We’ve liaised closely with event organisers and will continue to do so until the festival ends. 

“Our experience following such major events as the Ryder Cup in 2010 and the NATO Summit in September 2014 is that delays can be reduced to a minimum. 

“This is particularly so if residents plan ahead as far as possible and if possible, avoid making unnecessary journeys through the town at peak hours.”

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for operations, Councillor Bryan Jones said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming so many visitors to the county to enjoy and participate in one of Europe’s leading cultural festivals.

“Temporary delays can be expected but we have planned ahead to reduce these to a minimum and we have consulted widely to ensure Eisteddfod week runs as smoothly as possible.”

For more information on the National Eisteddfod, please visit eisteddfod.wales