Residents and traders expressed their anger on Friday at a public meeting called to discuss the recent roadworks in Caerphilly town centre.
The meeting packed out Neuadd-y-Parc Hall after it was called by Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert, Labour MP Wayne David and Independent town councillor Eddie Talbot, who is also chair of the local traders’ association.
Representatives from Wales and West Utilities, which is carrying out the gas main works, were present to answer questions from local traders who fear the disruption is driving them out of business.
Neither Plaid Cymru councillors nor officers attended from Caerphilly County Borough Council despite being invited – much to the anger of those assembled.
Wales and West Utilities was also surprised by the lack of council representation.
Dave Griffiths, operations manger of Wales and West Utilities, told the meeting: “It’s disappointing from our point of view that certain key stakeholders have decided not to come, because a lot of the consultation and planning has very much involved the local authority and local councillors.”
Mr Griffiths also told the meeting that lessons had been learned over the last few weeks and said: “We don’t always get it right – we are only human.”
The only county borough councillor to attend the meeting was Labour’s Liz Aldworth, who represents Bedwas, Trethomas and Machan.
She said: “I feel sad for the people of Caerphilly that their councillors aren’t her. I went out of my way to come in here, why couldn’t they? It makes me mad.”
Traders in the town centre are furious at the disruption the work to replace gas piping has caused. They claim many local businesses are suffering and at risk due to a collapse in trade brought on by the works.
Wales and West admitted that work could have taken place in the New Year but it was agreed with the council that work would take place now and be finished by the end of November.
Many traders wanted to know the exact reasons why this was agreed but were continuously met with the response of “it’s a question for the council”. This was also the same when the discussion turned to suspending the works until the New Year.
Wales and West Utilities did reveal that work was four days ahead of schedule and was due to finish on November 25. They emphasised the importance of the work replacing ageing pipes to ensure gas supplies in the town.
Suggestions were made to inquire about making the Twyn car park free of charge as soon as possible to encourage trade and to open up with the old police station on Mountain Road for public car parking.
Jeff Cuthbert, who chaired the meeting, along with Wayne David said they would take those suggestions forward to the council and Gwent Police.
Speaking after the meeting Independent town councillor Eddie Talbot, who is also chair of the town traders’ association, said: “We got something out of the meeting – if you don’t try, you don’t get anywhere.
“The meeting came about as people were coming up to me asking what we could do about the situation. I’m in the same boat so I put some feelers out with various people – most with the council – and they fell on deaf ears.
“I got the impression they weren’t interested and that’s why we engaged the help of the AM and MP and they’ve come through.”
The three Plaid Cymru councillors representing the St Martin’s ward, which covers the town centre, are James Fussell, Steve Kent and Colin Elsbury.
In a joint statement by the three councillors issued after the meeting, they explained why they could not attend.
It said: “Councillor Kent was intending to attend the public meeting called by MP Wayne David, as he had been to a previous meeting with his young child, but, unfortunately, the arrangements he made for childcare fell through.
“Both Councillor Elsbury and Fussell had commitments at the time of the public meeting and were unable to attend. Councillor Fussell’s son is in university in Southampton and Councillor Fussell was making personal arrangements for the visit. Councillor Elsbury was looking after his children as it was the half-term school holidays and he was unable to attend.
“We fully appreciate that the works undertaken have had a serious adverse impact on the town centre and its traders. But we’re pleased that the work following the closure of Cardiff Road and Clive Street has been completed ahead of schedule, providing access in particular for bus services. All work is due to be finished by November 25, ahead of the busy Christmas period.
“Representatives of the independent retailers’ association were present at two meetings this year of the town centre management committee. The issue of the road works was on the agenda but no comments were made by the representatives of the association.
“On June 29 Wales and West Utilities called a meeting at Caerphilly Golf Club to which residents and traders were invited which looked at the implications for Caerphilly of a closure for three weeks. Just three people attended, despite publicity but no representative of the independent retailers’ association attended the meeting and, therefore, no issues were about the possible drop in footfall in the town centre. If there were concerns from its members, we would have expected those to have been raised at that meeting and, at town management meetings.
“We have been made aware that Wales and West Utilities has 27 different work operations in South Wales at present and it is never easy to avoid disruption and inconvenience, wherever work takes place.
“Ward members have been talking to retailers, shoppers and residents during this difficult period and are fully aware of concerns. If there are issues the independent retailers’ association representatives want to raise they should speak directly to the council and/or ward members. But as ward members they have not done that.
“We are also aware that Councillor Ron Davies, the cabinet member for regeneration has repeatedly offered the traders the opportunity to meet, together with their local members, to discuss those matters for which Caerphilly Council was responsible but the offer has not been accepted.
“A full updated briefing was sent by cabinet members and ward councillors to traders last Thursday.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council was asked to comment on why no one from highways attended.
In a joint statement on behalf of the local authority, Cllr Rob Gough and Cllr Ron Davies said: “We are already aware of the issues that were raised at the meeting on Friday and they are currently being investigated by the authority. We understand the concerns of retailers in the town centre, but these essential improvement works need to be undertaken and they are due to be completed by the end of November.
“We are liaising with retailers on a regular basis and the council is working hard to keep the traders updated on progress. We want to send out a clear message that Caerphilly is still very much open for business and we would encourage local people to shop in the town and support the traders during this period of disruption.”
I was at that meeting and was appalled that no Plaid councillors turned up. Incredibly cowardly behaviour on their part. Our traders should be a priority and are the lifeblood of our town. Plaid – get your act together, do something to help.
What a feeble set of excuses for not attending an important meeting. St. Martin's ward has three councillors and not one turned up, yet Cllr. Aldworth came from her ward in Bedwas to show fellow feeling with the townspeople. Incidentally our councillors can claim an allowance for child care; very different from private business where you pay for child care yourself.
The meeting was a good one, Wales & the West Utilities were sometimes criticised but it quickly became apparent that the Borough Council could, and should, have done a lot more to reduce the impact of the work. It was they who decided the timescale of the work, not Wales & West or their contractor, Amec. It is ridiculous to try and offload blame to the Retailers Association and people will see this as a complete abdication of responsibility.
The absence of the councillors, who are supposedly the representatives of me and all who live in the ward, was compounded by the absence of any council officers. The council has displayed contempt for the voters, contempt for the Member of Parliament and contempt for the Assembly member. These councillors will be asking for your vote next May, I think they will have to display a bit more humility and willingness to engage with the people who live or work in the town in order to get their vote.
I attended the meeting last Friday and could not believe why there was no representation from any Council officers or local Ward members. This was a chance for the Plaid Cymru Councillors representing the St. Martins Ward to turn up to explain for themselves the timeline for the works and why the decisions affecting the town have been made. Instead they chose to boycott the meeting and left it to Wales and the West to carry the can.
The contempt that Plaid Cymru have for the people of Caerphilly is plain to see. Local traders are losing a huge proportion of their trade and residents are being hit with prolonged inconvienience. All we have heard from the Council is the odd press release claiming "Caerphilly is open for business" and highly debatable statistical data suggesting that footfall in Caerphilly is up!! The latter comment incidentaly produced a gasp of disbelief from the packed hall last Friday.
In order for the Council to go someway towards redeeming itself it needs to fully recognise the strength of feeling against the terrible consequences of its ill thought out plans. Only by engaging with the people who put them in a position of power can they begin to build bridges with a community that is left reeling in the wake of their flawed actions. Its time for Plaid Cymru to crawl out of their safe house and face the public.
I have stated previously that the works were advertised fully and have involved the representatives of the Independent Retail Association whose chair is named above. The reference made by Mr Griffiths Wales and West Utilities of meetings held with council and local councillors were the same meetings that the Independent Retail Association were present, and only one meeting held where they failed to attend at the Golf Club. This same organisation declined to meet with local members but preferred to engage with AM and MP and hold public meeting after the works had commenced, which is a little bit late when information was available since March 2011. Who is pulling whos strings…
A very poor response from Cllr Fussell I think. He states that "The works were advertised fully" and that "….meetings were held with local councillors, meetings that the independent retailers were present". I do not doubt that what Cllr Fussell says is true, what I do question is the case that was presented to the Independent Retail Association about the roadworks. Was there genuine consultation, or was it simply a fait a compli that was presented? I don't know, but I have spoken to a number of traders on Cardiff road, some of whom I know personally, and the unanimous response I got was that October/November was the worst time possible to carry out these works, since the Christmas trade build up in these months is a crucial time in the trading year. The view I heard was that January/February would have been a much more agreeable time to carry out the works, since this is a quiet time for the shops on Cardiff road anyway. Would the traders of Caerphilly have agreed to the works being carried out now if they had been consulted adequately?
As to the location of the Golf Club for the consultation meeting, not the most convinient choice of venue is it? Wouldn't it have been better to have chosen a town centre venue in Park Lane or more reasonably the Twyn Community centre? Why on earth choose the Golf Club? It beggars belief!
As to Cllr Fussells last comment "Who is pulling who's strings….." I really don't know whether to laugh or laugh even louder! Lets consider the implication of this statement. Cllr Fussell clearly thinks that either Jeff and Wayne are manipulating the Traders grievances for their own political ends, or that the Traders are fooling Jeff and Wayne with a sob story to beat the council with.
If Cllr Fussell seriously thinks that Jeff and Wayne are stirring the Traders up for their own ends, then he is seriously misreading the situation. For those of us who turned up at the public meeting last Friday, and witnessed the energy, passion and anger that the Traders feel, it was clear that the Traders are more than capable of marshalling their own forces against those who have forced them on the road to potential economic ruin, and in Eddie Talbot, from what I saw, they have a very able and capable spokesman who will represent their interests admirably.
Alternatively, if Cllr Fussell believes that Jeff and Wayne are being manipulated into some diabolical scheme to enable the Traders to beat up on the Council then clearly the rarified air of high office has affected his faculties! Jeff and Wayne have simply been doing their jobs. Paying attention to the concerns of their constituents, when their constitutents have been let down badly by the council.
The simple truth of the situation appears to me to be this: The roadworks had to be done, that much is very clear and not an issue. The issue is that the Plaid Cymru Council made a right royal hash of the timing and simply did not consider the implications of what the works would do to local traders in Caerphilly in the run up to Christmas. Clearly political incompetence on a grand scale, and then for the same Councillors who assisted in this dreadful blunder to fail to turn up and defend their position to their constituents only rubs salt into the wound. The failure of not ONE of the Plaid Cymru St Martins Ward Councillors to attend the meeting is particularly shocking, since St Martins Ward is most affected by these works!
Surely Caerphilly, and in particular St Martins Ward, residents deserve better representation?
Not good enough ,come on Caerphilly Councillors I am sure you can do far better,very disappointing for the traders of Caerphilly.
I hope the people will make the right choice when it comes to voting.
Shame Mr Whittle could not have made a appearance.
Eddie Talbot,it's more people like yourself we need,thank you Eddie..
i attended the meeting on friday on behafe of one the busenes that was still traiding and there for couldent attend. and after reading the storty and the coments i have a few points
1 the meeing in cearphilly golf club-
it was reveald at the meeting that the golf club meeting was held at 5:00pm. Now consider that most shops stop leting customers in at 5:00. Finish seving the last few straglers who were alredy in the shop 5:05 give the shop a quick clean 5:15, lock up 5:20. Then ather 20 minits befor they can get to the golf club as you whould be fighting rush hour trafic. it quite oveas to me at least that traiders could not have goten to the meeting wethere they wanted to or not.
2 jeff and wayn
anyone saying that that jeff and wayn were useing the meeting for political advantige are kiding them self's bouth jeff and wayn did everything they could to stop it becoming a plide bash bouth of them reframing from useing party name for the intier meeting. The only political points the scord for them selfs that night were that they ternd up to lisen to and to do what they could for theyer constichuents, whitch has alredy ben said is theyer job.
3 lack of plide
i have ever simpethy that peaple sometimes are busy and carnt attend a meeting. this being said there was nuthing stoping one or all of the councelers typeing up a statment to be read out at the meeting insted the only responce to the invatashions that jeff and wayn sent out was a single letter whitch was read out to us. the jist of whitch was that the meeting was pointless. it was only after the meeting were the counclers came off badly did exuces like chid care come up
4 over befor the run up to christmas
this is the statment from the councle that is hadest to beleave they achely think the run up to christmass starts in desember. well i hope they read this becose i have a hard truth for them. christmas is a very expensive holaday i whould say 90% of the peaple in and around cearphilly can not aford to do all of theyer christmass shoping in one mounth they spred it it out. If the councle had botherd to ask a single busines owner when the start of the christmass run up was they whould have said september.
it is also oveas the real resion the councle whant them out befor desember and thats becose of the medievel fair that is being held in town during said mouth.
LETS PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT SHALL WE
IN RELATION TO THE COMMENTS MADE BY CLLR FUSSELL ON THIS BLOG.
Firstly lets deal with the Town Management meeting, this meeting used to be held on a Wednesday afternoon which incidentally coincided with what is traditionally half day closing for Caerphilly Traders, This is a meeting I was more than happy to attend on behalf of the Caerphilly independent retail Partnership (CIRP) as it coincided with my half day closing. Unfortunately this meeting has been moved to a Thursday afternoon, making attendance difficult for me due to the fact I now have to arrange cover in my shop, and my attendance is totally unpaid voluntary work, No Council salary here or expenses for that matter.
Secondly Councillor Fussell`s statement that I was present at the same meeting as he. Quote (The reference made by Mr Griffiths Wales and West Utilities of meetings held with council and local councillors were the same meetings that the Independent Retail Association were present) un Quote, is totally inaccurate as at no time have I been present at any meeting when Wales and West Utilities presented anything to Council, Indeed the only Reference made at the Meeting of the town centre management group for the 2nd March 2011 (Caerphilly town Centre Audit March 2011) States ISSUE 04/03/11 Wales and West Utilities work Town Centre. Comprehensive utility works will be undertaken by the provider throughout the town centre streets, the work will involve disruption to traffic flow, PROGRESS UPDATE No update provided. At this point Cllr Ron Davies suggested meeting the company involved to get the exact date of works. There was no representation by (CIRP) at that meeting.
CAERPHILLY TOWN CENTRE MANAGEMENT GROUP MINUTES 19TH MAY 2011 regeneration scrutiny committee 05/07/2011 (d) Timetable for utilities work in the town centre, VERBAL UPDATE, There are plans for utilities companies to renew water pipe work under the road surface in Mountain Road in June. Concern was expressed at the many events occurring in Caerphilly town over the next few months, and what effect the possible road closures and trenching would have on these events. Members expressed an urgency to discuss the situation, with Welsh Water, to discuss the impact of their proposals ACTION SH to look into this. (Caerphilly town Centre Audit July 2011) States ISSUE 04/03/11 Wales and West Utilities work Town Centre. Comprehensive utility works will be undertaken by the provider throughout the town centre streets, the work will involve disruption to traffic flow, PROGRESS UPDATE 28/3Notice has been served that significant utility works will be undertaken in the town centre over the next few months. No detailed plans were provided to the Committee. A representative of (CIRP) was present at this Meeting.
This important utility work and the disruption of the town Centre, has never been agendered for the Caerphilly Town Council.
At the beginning of October I was contacted by Traders on Cardiff road complaining that the utility work has had a devastating effect on trade in the town, on visiting traders I was soon aware the extent of the problem could be catastrophic for the town, and something needed to be done. A Meeting was called by me, open to all the traders not just my membership as I felt the situation so grave that it affected everyone, the meeting was held at the Irish Tymes on Friday 21st October 2011. The meeting was well attended with Traders; Wayne David Mp was also present as was Steve Kent one of the ward councillors.
It was agreed that a further meeting would be sought called by the Council with representation from Ward councillors, Officers of the Council, and Wales and West Utilities.
Below is a copy of my email to Ron Davies and officers of CCBC.21Oct2011
Wayne David and myself held a meeting in the Irish Tymes, Caerphilly tonight with Traders from our Town Centre in Caerphilly regarding the situation of the Wales and West Utilities Roadwork’s that is affecting our trade. The feedback that we received tonight is that something needs to be done and actioned as soon as possible with regards to the roadworks. It was unanimously agreed that Caerphilly County Borough Council should hold a public meeting at the earliest opportunity (this to be arranged by the end of Friday 28th October 2011) with representatives from the Wales and West Utilities, Welsh Assembly Government and Local MP's alongside Council officers and ward councillors.
Hope to hear from your good selves as soon as possible with a date for our meeting.
Regards
Eddie Talbot
Chair CIRP
Below is the only response received form CCBC. I am afraid I do not see a mechanism for CCBC to convene the sort of meeting you are suggesting but it is of course open to you to convene a meeting and invite those you would wish to attend. I will seek confirmation of this view from our Chief Executive Officer
Ron Davies.
A further meeting was then called By Wayne David MP, Jeff Cuthbert AM. And myself for Friday 28th October at the Newydd y Park Hall Park Lane Caerphilly, I understand from Wayne David’s office that Nine invitations to attend this meeting went out to Councillors and Officers Of CCBC , all failed to respond, LET ALONE TURN UP.
Below is a further email from Ron Davies Cabinet member for regeneration.
I understand a public meeting has been convened for later this week to discuss the ongoing road works in Caerphilly. I personally see little point in the meeting as proposed.
Ron Davies.
I now think there should be a public inquiry into the way Caerphilly County borough Council have handled this deplorable situation the Traders now find themselves in. To say that the Utility work will be over in time for the Xmas rush at the beginning of December quite frankly is a Joke, as anyone in retailing will tell you Businesses work at least 6 months in advance, and the build up for Xmas usually starts at the beginning of September. The Damage has been done.
Eddie Talbot
Community Independent Councillor for Caerphilly Town Centre/Chairman of CIRP/Chairman of FSB for South East Wales
Thank you Eddie Talbot,that's what I like to hear the truth,to be honest I'm getting to the point I have no faith in some of the other councillors,like I have said earlier they have let down Caerphilly.
Once again I thank Eddie Talbot.
As the chair of the Independent Retailers Association you admit to knowing this work was scheduled from the audit March 2011, and you admit to having been in and represented by others at all the meetings that have taken place with the issue of the gas mains replacement, similarly I and other ward members were present to be able to discuss the works by Wales and West Utilities, no comment came from your self or your representative in any respect regarding timing or scheduling. Neither I nor my colleagues have attended any other meetings other than the one held in the Golf club which only one resident attended together two councillors.
It must be questioned why an offer of a meeting with the cabinet member for regeneration was declined by you in favour of calling the public meeting.
is it me or can fussell not read or is he calling Talbot a lier???
qoute Eddie Talbot
Secondly Councillor Fussell`s statement that I was present at the same meeting as he. Quote (The reference made by Mr Griffiths Wales and West Utilities of meetings held with council and local councillors were the same meetings that the Independent Retail Association were present) un Quote, is totally inaccurate as at no time have I been present at any meeting when Wales and West Utilities presented anything to Council
end quote
A quote from a ward councillor,
"Neither I nor my colleagues have attended any other meetings other than the one held in the Golf club which only one resident attended together two councillors."
Is this true? Have the ward councillors not been involved with any discussions with Wales & the West apart from this one? If not, why not?
I notice that Cllr. Talbot is able to demonstrate, with use of meeting minutes, what actually happened. Plaid Cymru are in a bit of a tailspin over this matter and I think they would have engendered more respect from townspeople had they bothered to turn up at the public meeting. Whether they had, either, argued their case or admitted an error, apologised and put in place remedial action.
Blaming the CIRP (The retail association) or its chairman for the timing and methods used during the works simply holds no water. It has been amply demonstrated that Caerffili County Borough Council were the driving force and Wales & the West had to comply with conditions decided by this body.
Please stop playing the blame game. From reading the blog it seems everyone knew a new gas main was being laid before work started. Yes the work is disruptive but is it preferable for Caerphilly residents to sit in their homes without central heating this winter?
@bob jones
in no way whould delaying the worcks have anyone without gas threw the winter jest like there is noone siting in their homes without central heating now.
Well I think that Plaid have now showed the residents of Caerphilly how interested they are ,you watch as soon as something good happens Plaid will be the first to try and claim its thanks to them.
Plaid you are letting us down,when Plaid came canvassing before we had a problem which I told to the Plaid councillor which he replied ok I will look into it for you,thanks I replied you will get my vote then the plaid councillor mumbled oh I don't want your vote well you won't I can assure you,what a way to go and this man is one of Plaids leading men.
I am hoping that in the future we have a better run council,all of my neighbours have had enough.
Eddie Talbot speaks the truth,this is what we want.
Bob Jones- When a senior Cabinet Councillor, James Fussell, makes comments in public which portray another Councillor Colleague, on a different Council, Town Councillor Eddie Talbot, to be disreputable with the truth, it is only reasonable that this on line news madia gives them both the opportunity to put the record straight.
If the comments on this media by James Fussell give the impression he is calling Eddie Talbot a liar, then I hope you are not suggesting that he does not have the right of reply, natural justice and all that.
Or, are laying the blame for this tit for tat correction and counter accusation by James Fussell at the feet of this Senior, experienced, Caerphilly County Councillor? after all it is his twisted logic which appears to suggest that Town Councillor Eddie Talbot is to blame for this current town centre situation,he has the means to set the record straight and show a little humility, he is human after all, and everyone makes mistakes.
Having read the article where the councillors have responded with the reasons that not 1 of the 9 invited attended the meeting last Friday regarding the disruption to business and road closures. I would point out that not only did they not attend but not 1 had the decency to even reply to the invite or to offer apologies for being unable to do so, (in my opinion Pure Rudeness) if they could not attend why could they not have sent officers in their place. I would further comment on their so called liasing with the traders on a regular basis, we at Waddon's have had no such liason on any occasion and I don't know anyone who has. As for the meeting in June which they say was well publiced, where was it publicised? no-one I have spoken with knew of such a meeting and not one of us received any notice or documentation to say there was to be such a meeting. I am totally disgusted and disheartened with this council and would urge people to show their discontent in the ballot box. These councillors must remember that the traders in Caerphilly who they are supposed to represent,are here 365days a year unlike those they seem to bend over backwards to help,coming in for a few days a year, pay a pitch fee, take our business and off to go again. OH NO WE CAN'T DISRUPT the big cheese,a proms night, a cycle race and oh let's not forget the work has to be finished so they can put on a christmas fayre which will yet again take away trade.
OK, who are these traders whose business is being dispupted? As has been said so many times Cardiff Road is all Charity Shops, Takeaways, Nail Bars and Betting Shops, I doubt if there are five shops that are owned locally, and the rest take money out of my community, so why should I bother about them, and none sell anuthing I want or cant get cheaper in Asda, Morrisons or Tesco. Cardiff Road is typical of any run down street in Britain. The rot set in when Castle Court (a Labour Party initiative) opened so it is a little silly blaming Plaid, though that is the only policy of the Ratepayer/Independents such as Ed Talbot, they have no other policy.
It seems the gas works have given the vocal and frustrated a cause to rally around. But Instead of blaming others why not come together to do something positive for the town and the shopkeepers? This will be more difficult than the playground politics being enjoyed right now but far more productive. I'm sure someone will tell me this is somebody else's responsibility….
That says it all it looks like Plaid thinks and hopes that opening new libraries is going towin them votes.
It’s a shame they can’t do something for the proper for Caerphilly ,free car parking would be a start I’m sure that would please the traders also.
4 new libraries are 4 needed when this council claim they are doing their best to save money?
I understand that the Police station will be based at the old post office this I think is great having the police back in town,it’s a shame the temporary police station is not manned 24 hours though.
I feel really sorry for the traders as they are NOT getting the support from Plaid.
I am looking forward to their views on the proposed pub in the old woollies ant the moment all they will say is we gotta look at the plans come on a pub is a pub we know what that means.
Why don’t plaid start lisetening to to the people?
Re the Big Cheese I think that it is a great event that brings thousands of people into Caerphilly and gives some local people a chance to sell their crafts etc,if the rates and rents were not so high then maybe they too could afford a shop in town,many of the shops in Carrphilly owned by a local estate agent and others owned by a local family who trade there themselves but expect quite high rent.
It is very sad but a fact Caerphilly is going to become a just full off charity shops,betting shops and Estate agents how many of them do we need? Oh let’s not forget we are going to have a new libraries now that will upturn trade won’t it? I think not .
The old post office site will not be used by the police, according to an announcement by Gwent Police some time ago. They have a shop which closes at 5 pm every evening.
The Independent candidates, in 2008, proposed free car parking for two hours at the Twyn and Crescent Rd car parks. It is unfortunate that this has not been arranged as it would reduce the parking of out of town vehicles outside resident's houses, increase the trade revenue in the town and be convenient for those who want to come into the town and do business.
Neither Labour nor Plaid have seen merit in the Independent’s proposals. The people will have a chance to vote on this, sensible, proposal at the borough elections next May.
Dave -for the record I have no interest in politics and have read most of what has been said with utter amazement. Personal attcks and insults are unnecessary,immature and unproductive. Why isn't anyone talking about 'what can we do to make Caerphilly a better place?' The fact remains the gas pipe needed to be replaced. Councillors/AMs/MPs can't change that any more than you can. If the gas board thinks it needs changing now – I for one would take their advice. They are the experts and it must be costing a small fortune. This is my last post on this subject – im off to find some sanity…
Just for the Record.
There are over 100 Businesses in the top of town alone that is without the Castle Court Shopping Centre, and the Piccadilly square. All of which were adversely affected by the Ongoing Utility Works.
What is the opinion of the locl traders about the Continental Market, does it take tradr from them or does the draw of the market increase their trade?.
I am not sure whether the retailers favour the Continental Market or not; I think there may be some trade lost, some gained. As a customer I find the prices of the Continental Market eye wateringly high. A fiver for a few little bits and pieces compared to £2-50 for a nice loaf of bara brith in the market. I go for the bara brith, must be the Cardi genetics in me!
Well you would expect the prices to be higher since they have to travel from the Continent to dump their plonk and stale sausages on the Caerphilly shopper.
Yes I agree very high prices.