The slow demise of Neath - readers are seeing the signs

Our letters page reveal the thoughts of readers who can see the slow demise of a once great market town.  From the time we had N&C (Neath - Cardiff) Luxury Coaches to the present time when you have to tavel to Swansea to get a bus to Cardiff.

Now there is talk of main line trains by-passing Neath via the route over the Neath River swing bridge - certainly a feasible proposition.   This would reduce the travelling time from Cardiff more than  electrifying the existing route, which is said not to take place.

From Victorian times Neath has been the hub of the community, even to the point of a gas tram travelling to Neath from Skewen and Briton Ferry.   The Neath and Dulais valley towns were served the town by trains, which now no longer run.    Buses from the rail station forecourt served Porthcawl, Pontardawe and the valley towns.   Now we have cars that circle Neath looking for short term parking spaces and causing pollution as a result.

There must be a reason for all this, because a town is what a council makes it.