Latest news with #LisaDymock
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Councillor parked illegally in Chepstow to have manicure
It was claimed in January drivers have been parking 'where and when they want' in Chepstow while Monmouthshire County Council admitted it has struggled to enforce a parking restriction on the High Street. Councillor Lisa Dymock has now been criticised for parking on St Mary Street which only vehicles making deliveries are entitled to enter. The councillor said she had parked on St Mary Street to have a nail repaired at a local salon and thought she had only slightly overstayed a time restriction. Business owner Lisset Burrett said she was angered to discover a four by four parked against the window of her ice cream shop, Colin's, on St Mary Street on Saturday, June 7 belonged to a local councillor. Cllr Lisa Dymock's car parked on St Mary's Street. Photo supplied The ice cream shop boss claimed the councillor had shown a disregard for parking restrictions and businesses on the high street and said: 'We must pay for our parking while county councillors with scant regard for the businesses trying to survive here are above the law.' MS welcomes continuation of free parking in Monmouthshire Controversial lorry ban on Severn Bridge 'unenforceable' without ANPR cameras Cllr Dymock, who represents Portskewett on the outskirts of Chepstow, acknowledged she had parked on St Mary Street. She said: 'I stayed over a little bit longer than I anticipated, that's all. I was 10 minutes over.' She said she understood parking is permitted during set times and said: 'That street is always packed with cars.' The Conservative councillor said she had only thought she would be in the nail salon for some 10 or 15 minutes and added: 'Lots of people park on St Mary Street, at all different hours.' She said she had also apologised, at the ice cream parlour, after being asked to move her car at around 10.45am on Saturday, and also said she supports local businesses. Cllr Lisa Dymock Vehicles are only allowed on St Mary Street for loading and that is restricted to between 7am and 10.30am, and for two and a half hours in the evening, from 4.30pm to 7pm. A sign at the entrance to St Mary Street states it is a pedestrian zone and no vehicles are allowed from 10.30am to 4.30pm and from 7pm to 7am. Loading allows domestic and commercial drivers to load and unload goods or waste but doesn't permit drivers to park to go shopping or for extended periods. Ms Burrett has also written to Monmouthshire County Council to ask why bollards previously installed to prevent access aren't in use. She said: 'I decided to rent a building on this street because it is pedestrianised; I have opened up an ice cream parlour and naturally children are frequent visitors. 'I chose this location due to its safe nature for the children who visit. However cars constantly drive along St Mary Street throughout the day. Cars daily park outside my premises, blocking the view of the shop and at times the entrance.' Cabinet member, and Chepstow Labour councillor, Paul Griffiths has told Ms Burrett he has raised the issue of how the restriction on vehicles could be enforced but said, in an email, the previous 'volunteer based movement of bollards proved unsustainable'. In January Cllr Griffiths compared parking in Chepstow to the 'wild west' and said: 'Chepstow residents tell me they feel they are living in the sort of lawless conditions you would have found in the American wild west. 'Motorists appear to be parking where they want, how they want without apparent restriction.'
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Council still supports Caldicot Leisure Centre redevelopment
Hopes of potentially millions of pounds of funding to revamp Caldicot Leisure Centre were dashed in November 2023 when Monmouthshire County Council's bid for UK Government Levelling Up funding was overlooked. It was the second time an application to the fund to support the centre was rejected by the scheme. Conservative councillor for Portskewett Lisa Dymock asked at the council's May meeting what it is doing to 'urgently secure funding' for the refurbishment of Caldicot Leisure Centre. Labour's Cllr Angela Sandles, the cabinet member for communities, said: 'A full and complete refurbishment would be ideal but we have to be realistic and funding remains a significant challenge and the council has perused many attempts at grant opportunities but have not been successful.' Cllr Sandles also said longer term plans for the leisure centre would have to align with its broader placemaking plan which initially aims to regenerate the high street and 'in time' the leisure centre. But she said future investment would need to be in line with council's capital strategy and competing demands on its resources. She outlined a series of investments the council has made in the centre including LED floodlights, a multi-use games area with basketball court which the Magor East and Undy member described as 'amazing and very well used' and new indoor cycling studio while a business case is being developed to upgrade the fitness suite. Cllr Sandles said the centre has seen an increase in membership while there has been a fall in anti-social behaviour since a Friday night positive futures programme, supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner, was introduced. Cllr Dymock also asked about repairs to the skate park and Cllr Sandles recognised the need for repairs which would be considered when money is available.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Council calls for action over Severn bridge HGV ban
Council calls for action over Severn bridge HGV ban The ban, which will see heavy goods vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes no longer able to cross the bridge, will come into force at the end of this month The M48 Severn bridge is to be closed to large lorries at the end of May (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) A local authority has called for large vehicles to be allowed across the old Severn bridge between Wales and England as soon as possible. From May 27 lorries weighing more than 7.5 tonnes will be barred from crossing the M48 bridge and will instead have to take a 14-mile detour to the Prince of Wales M4 bridge. National Highways, the UK Government agency in charge of both bridges, plans to permit managed crossings in approximately 12 to 18 months but needs to set up a system for controlling lorries waiting to cross as well as sourcing and installing the necessary equipment. A long-term solution to fully reopen the 60-year-old suspension bridge to all traffic could take at least five years. The council unanimously passed a motion, proposed by Portskewett Conservative councillor Lisa Dymock, urging the Welsh and UK Governments to work "at pace" on allowing controlled HGV crossings "as soon as possible". The motion also called on the council itself and the Welsh Government to "urgently assess" current and projected traffic impacts at junction 23A on the M4 at Magor due to the weight restriction and bring forward plans to improve the junction. An amendment by Labour councillor for Magor East with Undy John Crook that improvements should include a new link road to the M48 from Rogiet, which has been a long term ambition of the council, was also accepted. Article continues below Cllr Dymock expressed concerns about the effects on hauliers who already work with tight margins and highlighted how her own employer at Severn Bridge industrial estate might feel the strain. Labour councillor for Bulwark and Thornwell Armand Watts, whose remit includes New House Farm industrial estate – home to an Asda distribution centre, aired his apprehensions about the potential disruptions caused by upcoming traffic restrictions. National Highways insists it has engaged extensively with haulage and logistics firms affected. Approximately 3,200 lorries cross the bridge daily. Cllr Watts said: "I really am worried about May 27 and I think it's going to be a disaster. I think it's going to be chaotic." Cllr Watts said he was also concerned about possible repercussions on Chepstow Racecourse amid the impending traffic clampdown. Magor West independent member Frances Taylor warned councillors requesting the Welsh Government support a new junction or road would be a long process. She said she thought she was the only councillor who opposed removal of the Severn bridge tolls which has led to a 34 per cent increase in traffic crossing the bridges. She added that a reduced toll could have been used for maintenance and improving public transport. Cllr Paul Griffiths, the Labour cabinet member for the economy who represents Chepstow, said lorries heading for the town, Portskewett and the Forest of Dean will now be expected to perform a U-turn at junction 23A. He said space will be required on either side of the bridge to stack or hold lorries as part of the medium-term solution of managed crossings. He added that affected firms are eager to see this implemented swiftly, within three months, rather than waiting 12 to 18 months. Article continues below
