THE controversial car park charges set to be introduced in Monmouth in the New Year could still be axed, according to the barrister acting for the three local towns seeking a judicial review against the county council.

The barrister representing Abergavenny, Usk and Chepstow town councils and backed by all five Chambers of Trade including Monmouth is heading the challenge against the cabinet plans to end free car parking across Monmouthshire, and was today filing papers with the High Court asking for a judicial review.

And although a decision is not expected from a High Court judge about whether the alliance has a case for a judicial review until mid-January, the barrister is confident of the challenge being accepted.

That could further delay the price increases at Glendower street, Nelson Street and Cinderhill Street car parks which were originally earmarked for October 1.

Last Thursday a deputation, including Usk's mayor Cllr Liz Fleming, met the appointed barrister. She said: "We were heartened by what the barrister had to say about our case. We are determined to see this through for the future of our towns and we will re-asses the situation as we go along."

Cllr Fleming also revealed that Monmouth-shire County Council has sent a reply to their letter of intent, stating they believe they have a strong case, and claiming they consulted everyone.

She said: "We are comparing it with the consultation in 1996 prior to any notices going up in the car parks, then there was a lot of consultation. "This time we heard from the newspapers and we believed, naively, that we would be consulted before the proposal, but that never happened. The county council says car parking charges are being introduced in free car parks for traffic management problems, yet no survey has been done in Usk.

"If there had been traffic management problems here we would have worked with MCC to resolve them. We maintain that the income from the car parking proposals had always been included in the budget."

When car parking charges were first introduced in the region, Monmouth, Abergavenny and Chepstow all had at least one free car park, which traders say benefits lower-paid workers as well as attracting shoppers.