Port Talbot traders urged to fight amid M4 shake up fears
TRADERS in Port Talbot are being urged to stand and fight together amid fears that closing M4 slip roads will kill off the town's shopping heart.
Aberafan Shopping Centre boss Steve Redmore is spearheading moves to resurrect Port Talbot Chamber of Trade — warning livelihoods in the town are facing their biggest threat yet.
-
Steve Redmore
Mr Redmore said the first item on the agenda of a regenerated chamber would be the prospect of two of Port Talbot's motorway junctions being closed.
Minister for Local Govern- ment and Communities Carl Sargeant has agreed for his officials to undertake studies into potential improvements between junctions 38 and 42.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Options to improve traffic and prevent accidents include the closure or partial closure of junctions 40 and 41 at Taibach and Pentyla and the installation of an average speed camera.
But Mr Redmore said that, as Aberafan Shopping Centre manager, he would want to be involved in the studies right from the start.
"We don't want to wait until it happens — it will be too late then," he said. "We need to be proactive because it would be disastrous for the town if it happens.
"It would kill off the town centre. It would kill retail in the town centre. If people have the option of going around the town instead of straight through it, they will just drive past. That will be devastating."
Mr Redmore is now going to try resurrecting Port Talbot Chamber of Trade, which was once an active force in the town but which ceased to exist many years ago, calling for anyone interested to get in touch.
"There is a need for a chamber of trade here," he added. "As a group of businesses and retailers we need to stand together and voice our concerns when there are issues that affect us.
"The slip road is just one of them but there are other issues outside the town centre. Closing the library in Sandfields and moving it to the Lido will have knock-on implications for traders on the estate.
"If we can get enough people together to form a chamber of trade, I would willingly agree to act as president for the first year while it finds its feet."
paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
Comments
by jocmo
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 12:31PM
“The people of Port Talbot need to pull together to improve their town. I for one will be only to happy to join the chamber of trade and would encourage other business people in the area to do so.”
by Neathboy234
Monday, July 02 2012, 8:41PM
“I imagine in years to come people will think it very amusing that we actually got in our cars, drove into town, bought something, and then carried it back to our cars. Time to move on, the internet ha changed everything. And for the better”
by fndjdncdjk
Monday, July 02 2012, 8:35PM
“OMG why do my comments always get deleted? All I said was why do people out of town make decisions on what goes on in a town. Shutting the sliproads will cause chaos.”
by williamwaun
Monday, July 02 2012, 7:36PM
“Shame to see these great towns becoming ghost towns. Lllanelli, Swansea, Port Talbot and Bridgend have all be ruined by online shoppers and out of town shopping complex. The only places that have improved are Cardiff and Carmarthen which have invested the money and let the rest of Wales suffer. The way things are going is everyone will be buying off the internet 90% of products will come from China and we won't have any places left to shop. Where did this country go wrong.”
by tenmen1
Monday, July 02 2012, 6:06PM
“I would imagine lots of Briton Ferry and Baglan residents will use Pentyla, it'll be a nightmare at the Bagle Brook”
by Smokestack
Monday, July 02 2012, 2:21PM
“I understand that it's the rental prices in the Shopping centre that has killed the trade? It seems to me that Mr Redmore has shot himself in the foot more than once on this issue.
It's time both of the junctions in Port Talbot were closed, it's only a matter of time before a very serious accident will occur at either one of these intersections. They were after all fit for traffic in the 60's which is long since passed.”
by huwwuh
Monday, July 02 2012, 10:31AM
“I have to visit Port Talbot occasionally on business. Once completed my only intention is to get out of there as quickly as possible. The slip roads onto the M4 provide a necessary quick route out. In 30 years I've only entered Port Talbot from the M4 once and that was a regrettable experience.
I suppose the bargain basement facilities in Post Talbot are attractive to some people, but I'd rather shop online. Swansea is fast becoming the same.”