My town, Abergavenny, has made some really significant improvements to its public realm in the last 4 years. Here's St Johns' Square before and after.

Here's Frogmore Street before and after

And now with Covid-19 temporary measures, Cross Street and Market Street are temporarily pedestrianised during the day.

None of this has been easy. It cost money (millions) and time. People were afraid of change. Some traders and locals actively opposed change. The works were disruptive.

But the transformation has been immense. Leading opponents among the traders have changed their minds and embraced opportunties for outside seating. Footfall is up. The town looks better, smells better and feels better to spend time in.

It's just the start of making Abergavenny a more walkable, bikeable, liveable town. There's plenty more that needs doing but success breeds success and the demonstration effect of a good start is huge.

Thanks to @MonmouthshireCC who led the work, @WGEconTransport who funded it, and a wide circle of local people who have contributed their time and effort to make it work.

You've seen the photos so it hardly needs saying, but I'll say it anyway: the best way to improve a town centre is to remove the cars from the shopping streets. It's simple. It's obvious. But we've become so accustomed to car-filled streets that it often seems wildly radical.