MY RESPONSE to Brian Donovan’s letter on the 10th May - is he living in the same country as me? 

The real reason for the neglect of Newport is, as he well knows, is lack of finances due to the Tories cuts to funding. Also the rise of the internet has seen a great change in shopping habits causing the death of shops and businesses in town centres in vast swathes of the country not just here. Also the Friars Walk development was mooted a long time before the liberal democrats formed an unholy alliance with the Tories. 

As to the dog and litter strewn streets wouldn’t it be a good idea to follow the example of other parts of Newport and do a voluntary litter pick in the area, as it’s obvious there is no funding available to pay people to do this. 

Ed Townsend is really missed in the St Julians area as he was a great local councillor and would no doubt have organised something like this.

Ann Poyser
Stockton Road
Newport