WITH the closing down of Newport city centre’s shops, one can only wonder what Debenham’s seek to gain from its investment here, especially since M&S have gone.

We have a pathetic example of a bus station where the buses must be hidden from view and it is so scruffy and badly designed. However, it may match the dreadful bus service, eg No 34 service from Celtic Springs, the 8am at Ebbw Bridge, late or not at all. It’s not a place to shop now.

As for the streets, we have endless chewing gum that is not cleaned up, parking on pavements and double yellow lines obstructing access for disabled people and a high level of crime. The council’s excuse is lack of money. We have had this excuse for many years and we know that that is a cover-up for all the reckless spending like the street lighting fiasco.

Having travelled around Britain, I come back to Newport and realise this town (or city as it must be) is the most unkempt. It’s so sad when, some years ago, you could shop easily and safely for almost anything from the variety of shops we had. And yet to keep this mess going, we have to find more council tax.

It is about time these organisations were brought to account for the waste of our money.

G Davies, Cardiff Road, Newport