NEWPORT City Council has responded to the Argus editor Kevin Ward's Editor's Chair opinion column on the row over the withdrawal of buses from Newport's High Street.

The response reads:

"Newport City Council has confirmed that it is not responsible for the cessation of buses running down High Street, and that a decision on their reinstatement is solely the decision of Newport Transport and the other licensed operators.

A feature by the editor of the South Wales Argus on Thursday 21st January has suggested the council can resolve the debate on this topic.

(You can read Kevin Ward's Editor's Chair column here)

The leader of the council, Councillor Bob Bright, has publicly confirmed on many occasions that he has relayed the concerns of independent traders to Newport Transport – but there is nothing further that the Council can do. The council cannot interfere in the operational matters of this separate company – irrespective of its shareholding – because of the deregulation provisions of the Transport Act. Councillors on the board of Newport Transport also have a clear legal role and responsibility when taking up positions as board members, and have to act in the best commercial interests of the company.

The future of buses on the High Street remains the decision of the bus operators, and it is clear that Newport Transport should now confirm its position on this topic.

However, both residents and businesses should not confuse buses stopping their route down High Street as a lack of opportunity for traders.

Businesses are running successfully across the city centre without bus stops outside them in many locations. Cambrian Road, Commercial Street, Charles Street and Bridge Street are all vibrant locations where businesses offering the right product, at the right price, thrive.

In fact, Newport has been identified as the best city in Wales to start a business; footfall in the city centre is at its highest level for six years; a raft of new businesses have opened on High Street including the return of Tiny Rebel; and an independent trader has relocated to Newport city centre from Cardiff because of the great trading environment offered.

The council wants small independent traders to succeed and prosper, as much as it wants the job security of the thousands of staff working in national retail units delivering millions of pounds of salaries into the local economy.

The leader of the council also pledged to investigate footfall levels into Newport Market. With around 500 people per hour consistently entering the market at peak times, the results show that footfall is broadly the same as when the buses ran down High Street, and significantly higher than the period before they returned.

Privately owned businesses have to make business decisions that best suit them, and the High Street is a perfect example of the catalyst effect the regeneration of the city centre has had for businesses both large and small. As a location to run a business, the High Street has never been flanked by so many busy offices, newly opened businesses and a bustling bus station on Upper Dock Street.

In respect of buses on High Street, Newport Transport must be allowed make its own commercial decision on the economic viability of the routes they run, and to comment independently on their decision. If bus routes are not economically viable, this could lead to future job cuts at Newport Transport – and who benefits then?"

Argus editor Kevin Ward replies: “While I am pleased to read such an informative and robust reply from the council to my opinion column, Argus readers will know that I did not suggest

council ‘can resolve the debate on this topic’.

“I suggested the council could facilitate a meeting between the bus company and protesting traders and assist in finding a resolution.

“My piece also made specific reference to the council leader’s relaying of traders’ concerns to the bus company, and to his request for a footfall survey.”