Proposals to reduce the speed limit through Usk town centre from 30mph to 20mph have got the go ahead.

The lower limit, which is intended in particular to improve the safety of schoolchildren, was approved as an MCC Individual Cabinet Member Decision on April 26.

The new limit will apply to the A472 in Bridge Street, Castle Parade and Monmouth Road.

Usk Town Council and local community members had backed the proposal, but Gwent Police were concerned that it would be difficult to enforce the lower speed limit without introducing additional traffic calming measures.

A report from MCC Highways’ Traffic and Network manager Paul Keeble pointed out that a trial commissioned by the county council had found that, while the existing speed limit was 30mph, the average speed on the road during the daytime was only 23.5mph.

It was anticipated that the presence of additional 20mph signing would encourage compliance and that the physical constraints of the A472 along with sections of on-street parking had a positive effect on reducing travelling speeds.

He said the installation of traffic calming features had been investigated and it had been concluded that they would create traffic delays and resulting traffic queues and congestion that would have a detrimental impact on the existing poor air quality issues in the town.

The aim will be to undertake speed and volume surveys six to twelve months after the new limit is imposed in order to record compliance levels.