Mr Alun Davies AM for Blaenau Gwent seems to be speaking for himself and perhaps for a relatively small proportion of his constituents who are fortunate to have good, well-paid jobs in Cardiff and beyond.

However, I suspect that many more of his constituents and valley communities cannot afford to travel to Cardiff by train or bus. It would be fair to say that there is little reason for most folk to visit the city of Newport - there are few decent shops, job vacancies, sporting, entertainment or cultural venues. It was not always so. Over the last 60 years the life and soul has been sucked out of Newport. Most new jobs and leisure venues have migrated to Cardiff. However, I feel certain that by the end of this decade, the fortunes of Newport and Gwent will greatly improve. Gwent will become an attractive place to live and work. For example, it will become much cheaper to purchase a new house and/or set-up a new business than Cardiff or Bristol. Moreover, it will become cheaper and quicker to get to London.

Brian Hayes, Clearwell Court Bassaleg,