It is four years to the month since I first spoke up at Monmouth Town Council and asked that they consider moving the playground on Chippenham Mead away from the A40 and into the main body of the Village Green. In that time so much has changed - our babies have passed through their toddler years and gone to school, our then-six year olds are now readying themselves for secondary school - and yet the people of Monmouth are still waiting for objections to this reasonable proposal to be overcome.

The current playground is tucked out of sight behind the bund in a dark corner of Chippy, bordered on one side by the noisy and polluting dual carriageway, and on the other by a small road lined with parked cars and vans, with a pavement which peters out to nothingness. It is dangerous to access, the ‘dance’ which parents must do with buggies and children around these stationary vehicles being one of the worst aspects of our current situation.

How different things could be if we could persuade Welsh Government to move our playground! We could have a bespoke playground making use of natural elements. It could be visible, accessible and sited at a distance from any roads. We could place children’s play at the heart of our community and cherish it.

The opportunity to do so is here: you have until 31st January to lodge letters of support for the relocation. I urge all concerned adults - children too, if they are able - to write to the Planning Inspectorate Wales, Case Officer Julian Nicholas, and make representations in favour of moving the playground. The address is Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ or, by email, [email protected] - please head your correspondence ‘Ref: 3243149: relocation of children’s play area.’

Rachel Jupp (Friends of Chippenham Mead)