Chepstow... literally a market meeting place, its name being derived from the Saxon chepe meaning market and stowe being a meeting place.

Nowadays, however, it is more a meeting of motor vehicles as they begin to strangle the narrow streets of the town and form lengthy queues to cross badly phased traffic lights on the main A48.

On the positive side, Chepstow is home to a splendid Norman Castle, situated upon limestone cliffs rising from the shores of the River Wye.

This great castle and surviving town walls remain as a testament to the power of the Normans.

Its origins date back to 1067 with the building of the stone keep, but the castle was extensively modified and extended throughout the Middle Ages by the Marcher lords who controlled the garrison town.

It finally fell to a siege by Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War of the seventeenth century.

A short walk from the centre will find one traversing twisting medieval streets, and a trip to the Museum is well worthwhile to learn of the history of the area from Roman times.

Surrounding this history is a market town that is fast becoming home to people who commute to the neighbouring cities of Bristol and Newport as well as further afield, mainly because there is only limited light industry and commerce in the area.

As one meanders around the town, it will quickly become apparent that many buildings are falling into a rapid state of disrepair.

Many businesses appear to have closed down and whilst some premises have fallen victim to the ubiquitous charity shops, others remain empty and unkempt.

The area around the river is generally neglected, and apart from the attraction of the castle, one wonders exactly what the town has to offer the tourist.

There appear to be so many wasted opportunities to making Chepstow a major tourist attraction, thereby depriving the local community of a valuable resource.

One solution would be to ban all but essential vehicles from the centre of the town.

Let us see the area from the town arch to St Marys Street pedestrianised and landscaped; then the town can return to the halcyon days of a true market meeting place - Chepstow!