TRAFFIC measure put in place by Monmouthshire County Council and the National Eisteddfod are working to plan and the much anticipated traffic chaos in the town has been kept to a minimum as the eyes of Wales turn on Abergavenny.

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

In the lead up to the event, which has attracted more than 30,000 to the Castle Meadows over its opening weekend, MCC assured plans were in place to minimise any disruptions to town dwellers, and visitors of the Eisteddfod.

A park and ride scheme has directed those travelling by car to one of three sites - Llanellen, Penpergwm, and Cwrt-y-Gollen, near Crickhowell - to the Maes which has avoided heavy traffic hitting the town centre and minimised the impact on local parking.

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

On the opening weekend town centre congestion problems was largely be avoided with majority of visitors using the regular courtesy bus service which has drop off points at Byefield car park, close to the main entrance on Castle Meadows.

MCC has also stressed that he free buses are also available to non Eisteddfod visitors.

We’ve liaised closely with event organisers and will continue to do so until the festival ends,” said a spokesman for MCC.

“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. 

With traffic flowing freely and the Eisteddfod site meeting universal approval the message to local shoppers is - ‘Abergavenny is well and truly open this week’.