DOZENS of disgruntled traders upset with Newport Transport’s decision to stop buses running through High Street called for action at a heated public meeting earlier tonight.

Newport Transport buses stopped using High Street last month, following an increase in traffic and parked cars, and started running straight through to the new Newport Central Bus Station at Friars Walk.

Traders previously said High Street has been left 'deserted' because of the bus route changes and that their businesses have been severely affected.

A public meeting was held tonight in Cupcakes and Cocktails on High Street and among those in attendance were city councillors Matthew Evans and Chris Evans.

The action team who aim to bring the buses down High Street again is made up of kiosk owner Jon Powell, butcher Tony Turner, solicitor Andrew Collingbourne and former Newport Transport chairman, William Routley.

Opening the meeting, Mr Routley said that a petition to restore the buses already had 2,250 signatures.

He said: “When the news first broke that the buses were going to be taken away from here, I think everyone was left reeling from the shock.

“The amount of support that’s come from the citizens of Newport has led us to believe that it’s not just a few traders affected.”

Alan Edwards, chairman of Newport’s business improvement district (BID), was unable to attend the meeting but urged the group to be patient and “keep their powder dry” in a written statement..

Cliff Hacker, a hairdresser who works six days a week in Newport Arcade, said his takings had been down 33 per cent and added he no longer gets the walk-in trade he once did.

Angela Roberts, who runs the Pot Café in Newport Arcade, said she had been down £200 down a day.

Rogerstone councillor, Chris Evans, called on the council and Newport Transport to address the situation.

He said: “The council are saying it’s Newport Bus and Newport Bus are saying it’s the city council.

“I want to challenge Newport Transport publicly. If the bollards come back, will they reinstate the buses? Or is this a load of nonsense?”

Addressing the meeting, butcher Tony Turner warned that some shoppers will eventually tire of Friars Walk and shop in Cardiff and Cwmbran.

He said: “We are delighted to have Friars Walk and we fully support the project but it cannot always be the priority and be to the detriment of the rest of Newport.

“Friars Walk is wonderful but it’s a shopping centre - the same that you will find everywhere else.”

Closing the meeting, Mr Routley said the hope now was to set up a meeting with the leader of Newport City Council, Bob Bright, and the managing director of Newport Transport, Scott Pearson.