25-05-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Newport £6M transport investment met with criticism
Announced earlier this year in April, the Welsh Government funding will go towards a range of projects, including developing active travel networks, expanding electric vehicle charging points, and improving bus infrastructure.
However, the response from local people has been mixed, with social media users voicing frustration that basic road repairs are not being prioritised.
Many residents took to Facebook to express their criticism.
One reader said: "We just want our roads resurfaced."
Another agreed, adding: "Need to fix the roads we have, before anything else."
This sentiment was echoed repeatedly, with Ken Blacoe saying: "Start with the potholes in the roads," and Christine Jones stating: "How about using this money on fixing the potholes. Their priorities are definitely out of sink."
Complaints extended beyond potholes, with some questioning the focus on active travel and electric vehicle infrastructure.
One reader commented: "Forget about more roadside slow chargers that no knew will use.
"Set aside 12 parking places at the sports village, it's rarely fully used.
"Go to ionity and offer them fast track planning.
"Then we can have cheap ultracharging at 43p matching the price of petrol and diesel.
"Ionity will pay for the installation and pay rent to the council.
"Quick charging for EVs at no cost to the taxpayer and bringing in an income for the council.
"Next problem please... It only needs a bit of common sense."
The decision to allocate £1 million from the resilient roads fund to continue work on Bassaleg Bridge also drew criticism, with one reader saying: "Apparently, the rebuilding of the essential Bassaleg bridge will be put off for at least another year or so, because the £1M that the WAG has given to do the work is not enough.
"The WAG can only find £1M for the bridge, but 'found' over £83M to make changes to the Senedd building so that 36 extra MSs could be subjectively added."
Others raised concerns about the overall state of the city's roads and the effectiveness of recent transport spending.
One person wrote: "The roads are in a disgusting, dangerous state," while another questioned the value of new cycle lanes: "What a waste of money.
"Where they not paying attention when Cardiff spent millions installing bike lanes that no one uses?
"Now they want to put them in a dying town centre?
"The logic escapes me."
Despite the criticism, there were some supportive voices.
Marc Carlton said: "A lot of moaning here but I'm not sure why.
"More charging points - who can quibble with that?
"Better cycle routes?
"I see so many people in Newport that look like the side of a house that the more of them that get on a bike the better (for them and their health)."
The council has yet to respond to the volume of concerns about road repairs and priorities, but with £6.8 million soon to be spent, many Newport residents will be watching closely to see if their calls for action are heard.
