A Llanvapley man has warned MCC and the Abergavenny Town Council of his fears that a fatal accident could be caused by congestion around the automatic doors at Abergavenny Market Hall. Peter Nye has written several times to the town and county councils, asking that they take note of his protest against both the doors themselves and the trade stands in the doorway. In his letters he claims that siting stalls in the tunnel leading to the doors increases the risk of visitors being 'crushed' but says that this can danger easily be avoided by stopping traders from holding stalls in this narrow space. Mr Nye said, "Of the five yards (approx) worth of the vestibule, just over half of the width is taken up by 47" width fixed panels either side. The space between the duplicated automatic doors is accompanied by trader stalls. "As envisioned by the Victorians who built Abergavenny Town Hall, the five yard wide entrance would undoubtedly be kept clear for vehicular access. "This would have a secondary advantage in keeping the vestibule uncluttered so that pedestrian access was as unimpeded as it could ever be." The issue with the doors was acknowledged by Abergavenny Town Clerk Peter Johns, who said that the doors has been put in place for a reason and there would undoubtedly be no change to move them. Mr Johns said, "Mr Nye first wrote to us some time ago about this issue, and while I understand his commitment to this issue, I do not think a change will happen. "The automatic doors were installed with the purpose of keeping the building air tight during the winter months, to protect the traders and those who visit the market from the cold outside temperatures. "When the doors were first installed there was a thorough risk assessment undertaken and it was deemed fit to install and fit doors for this purpose, and it was agreed that they would not pose a risk to customers, even with traders utilising the side space beside the doors. "In addition to this, the main doors are not the fire exits, so despite the concern of a lack of space, they are not required to be kept clear at all times, so there is no legal reason remove the stalls from the doorways." Monmouthshire County Council has also agreed that the doors do not cause a concern, and no accidents have been reported since the doors were installed some years ago. MCC's Whole Place Officer Tom James said, "The doors were provided to improve conditions in the market hall - particularly when we hold specialist events such as concerts where a draught would cause discomfort for those attending. "They were funded by the town council and were the subject of wide consultation with a group including market traders, county and town councillors. "The specification for the installation and operation of the doors was drawn up by council engineers in accordance with industry guidelines. "We are not aware of any single incident where harm has come to a trader or a member of the public visiting the market and generally the installation of the doors has been welcomed. The doors are linked to the alarm system so that if fire broke out the doors would automatically open. The installation of the doors has also had no impact on the accepted aisle width". But while Mr Nye has said he does not expect any action to be taken with regards to the doors, he hopes that his letter writing campaign will encourage the council to consider the risk and realise that it could easily avert any potential problems by clearing the space of the stalls. Mr Nye said, "I have written this letter without any hope that it will result in the doors being removed. I just want to push the idea that the vestibules should be cleared of the trader stalls, thus giving a bigger reserve of crushing can be diluted. "Surely a weekly 'cost' to the council of losing one stall's rent (approx £30?) is worthwhile if they give a stuff about public safety." MCC has said it has no plans to remove the traders from the vestibule in the Market Hall.