Saturday, October 11, 2008
Skip Navigation LinksHome / Features / Letters to the Editor

BELL TOLLS FOR THE DEATH OF NEWPORT

Friday, May 9, 2008
LETTERS
From Huw Ross (manager), Market Bakery, Scarrots Lane, Newport:
DING, dong, the town is dead!
I must congratulate the local authority and highways department on solving Newport’s traffic congestion. This has been achieved by actively discouraging people from coming into our capital town.
Newport has now become a nightmare people try to avoid and this has been achieved by a succession of decisions, which have made the town harder and harder to access.
Our previous LibDem council was as much to blame as the present Tory one.
The town has seen a general downturn in trade over the last ten years, since the so-called semi-pedestrianisation, which included the bus lanes.
Over the last 20 years, the town attracted many high street names and for a while it was was booming. This is no longer the case, the town is dying.
The population of the Island continues to rise, as does the population of Newport, but trade goes down. There are many reasons for this but no one in charge is prepared to admit to them.
The small business strongholds of Nodehill and Scarrots Lane have been particularly affected by the Trafalgar Road/Chapel Street fiasco but complain as people might, no-one is interested.
Approximately five years ago there was a large housing development at the top of Scarrots Lane that nearly put me out of business. Now the local authority seems intent on doing the same.
Perhaps the council has other plans for Scarrots Lane and its car park. With me out of the way they could build a nice housing development.
People will, as usual, roll over and accept this ruination of our town but I for one will not. I still employ 15 people and have built up a good business, so if you want your business rates, “come and get them”.
Viva La Revolution!
Where’s Che when you need him…?