MORE than 100 residents and business owners attended Usk Town Council's recent meeting to hear progress over the problems of HGV vehicles using the village as a 'shortcut.'

The crowd packed the Court Room at the Sessions House to hear Usk Town Council give positive news on easing the problems and concerns about the increasing volume of HGVs passing through Usk's Bridge Street.

Councillor Tony Kear gave a detailed presentation and outlined the council's legal obligation to act because of the air pollution plan for Usk, which has been agreed by the Welsh Assembly.

The meeting heard that Usk Bridge has been damaged nine times during 2010. There is an action plan in place and the recent installation of CCTV cameras at either end of the Usk bridge has captured the last four UK based haulage firms damaging a listed structure and resulted in successful insurance claims.

Monmouth MP David Davies praised the Town Council. The Mayor Councillor Alec Leathwood invited residents to volunteer for the planned Lorry Watch scheme which has proved very successful in Gloucestershire and more than 30 already have.

If you would like to be involved in the Lorry Watch scheme, contact the Town Clerk Jenny Mee on 01291 673011 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected].