+ Invest in Neath and make the future brighter

Writers on our LETTERS PAGE make a point.  There are several ways to make Neath better and a tourist attraction, apart from developing the main shopping centre.
The rail track (Neath low level) to Tower Colliery could be used to regenerate the area, bearing in mind the track continues via Neath Abbey to West Wales.   A platform near the Lidl store would benefit the store and the adjacent shops.   Another platform at Neath Abbey would benefit the Tesco store.

As for Tower Colliery, the last deep coal mine to close in Wales, it could be made into a heritage tourist attraction.   Similar projects have been done elsewhere - so why not there?

On the right we show a GWR Diesel Rail Car that could be used on the line.  The closure of the Mumbles railway and the Afan Valley line (Swansea Bay to the Rhondda) was, with hindsight, a great mistake as both would have been tourist attractions in this day and age.   The Afan Valley has views that we, as locals, take for granted - the same goes for the Neath Valley.   It's certainly time to think of a brighter future.

+  Mike's Follow up

After reading the above item, Mike Davies of Cadoxton sent in a photo (below) of the last passenger train on the Neath Low Level line, taken 22nd October 2011.   In the background you can see the Lidl store.   What an ideal spot to make a platform for shoppers - IF the line was ever brought back into use.

It is understood that this was a special excursion.  If any readers travelled on this train we would like to hear from them.