PLEAS from Usk Town Council and Monmouth's Assembly Member have failed to get the A449 slip roads at Llantrisant opened on a permanent basis.

Usk Town Council had asked the Welsh Government to give further consideration to opening the slip roads to help relieve traffic pressure in Usk town centre.

The council maintained that a safety issue had arisen with very large agricultural vehicles passing the One Stop Convenience Store in Maryport Street and then negotiating the corner on Church Street, pointing out that a couple of years ago an elderly pedestrian had died from injuries sustained outside the store after being hit by a passing trailer.

The farming community suggested that the problem would be alleviated if the slip roads constructed off the A449 for the Ryder Cup were opened permanently, allowing heavy goods vehicles to bypass the town.

The slip roads have been closed off ever since the end of the event at the Celtic Manor in 2010.

Nick Ramsay, Conservative AM for Monmouth, wrote to the Minister reiterating the town's concerns adding that it could save the narrow bridge over the River Usk from further damage.

Mr Ramsay has since been told by the Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant AM, that there is no likelihood of the slip roads on the A449 Abernant Interchange at Llantrisant being open on a permanent basis.

Commenting on the Minister's response, Mr Ramsay said, "I'm afraid the Minister has reiterated his position that it is not possible for the slip roads to be reopened permanently due to their design and the fact that traffic marshals are required with speed limits imposed to ensure the safety of motorists when the slip roads are in use.

"Whatever the Welsh Government's reasons for refusing this request, I'm disappointed that this response fails to help relieve traffic pressures and problems in the centre of Usk.

"I will continue to work with the town council to try and find some solution to the traffic problems of the town."