WE spent a day in Newport shopping last week and I have never seen such a mess anywhere in the UK.

In Newport centre it seemed that every street is under repair down the High Street,Commercial Street, and John Frost Square, with barriers etc blocking roads and pavements. In these difficult times does the council not realise that this creates a negative impression for shoppers and visitors that is unlikely to bring return trades? If they don’t come back the ‘city’ has no future.

Peter Iles, Kensington Park, Magor