IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
John Street, PONTYPOOL, NP4 6LA

Near the Albion Road junction, the sign on the left shows COLD CALLING CONTROL ZONE. This is one of many such zones in Torfaen. The Torfaen County Borough Council website states that in an effort to increase its effectiveness in combating doorstep crime, Torfaen Trading Standards have introduced Cold Calling Control Zones. What is a Cold Calling Control Zone? Doorstep crime includes all aspects of consumer detriment and crime arising from doorstep callers. This includes rogue workmen, high pressure sales people, bogus officials and distraction burglary, and it is well established that rogue traders and distraction burglary are often interrelated. In 2002 a national survey conducted by the Trading Standards Institute reported that 96% of people did not want doorstep cold callers and nobody actually welcomed them. 62% of those questioned reported receiving a cold caller in the previous three months. It is not illegal to make an initial cold call, and a Cold Calling Control Zone has no legal status. However, new legislation has created offences for repeat callers and by working in partnership, such Zones give residents the confidence to say NO to individuals calling on them without a prearranged appointment, and gives the clear message that rogue traders and bogus callers are not welcome in the area. Many bona fide businesses will make life easier for residents by simply popping a catalogue through the door. This avoids any feelings of confrontation on the doorstep and leaves the decision up to the individual as to whether to buy goods etc from the business concerned. How does a Cold Calling Control Zone operate? The Cold Calling Control Zone is very much a partnership initiative between Torfaen County Borough Council, Gwent Police and most importantly local residents themselves. The points of entry into the area will be designated by the placing of lamppost signs, and residents can reinforce the message by placing a sticker in a window close to the front door.

Houses on the west side of the street, viewed from Albion Road. The opposite side of the street is occupied by the perimeters of Lower Park Terrace houses.

Viewed from the Crumlin Street end looking east towards Nicholas Street.

This OS cut mark can be found on the gatepost of the Methodist Chapel, Nicholas Street. It marks a point 156.734m above mean sea level,

Looking south towards Albion Road. All 12 houses in John Street are in this row on the west side of the street.

Located in a corner of the Unicorn http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2437469 car park, the bin is for donations of clothes and shoes to the Gaia Movement Trust Living Earth Green World Action.

The Gulf filling station and Mace shop are on the west side of the Unicorn http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2437469 located a few metres away.

Viewed from the A4043 footbridge. The superstore is in central Pontypool (Lower Bridge Street).

A view up Bridge Street. An inscription in a stone tablet on the front of the building shows BUILT 1820 RENOVATED 1885. The building was Grade II listed in August 1997. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2460556 to a view from higher up Bridge Street.

A view from the top of Bridge Street. An inscription in a stone tablet on the front of the building shows BUILT 1820 RENOVATED 1885. The building was Grade II listed in August 1997. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2460546 to a view from lower down Bridge Street.