Neath Transport Hub plans paused after public backlash

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting on 29 October 2025, where councillors agreed the project should instead be reassessed as part of a wider Neath Town Centre Masterplan.

“We listened to residents” says cabinet member

Cllr Wyndham Griffiths, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity, said the council had taken on board the concerns raised by residents, businesses and public transport users.

“We listened to what our residents had to say during consultation and it’s clear there is little support for the scheme in its current form. We need to look at the scheme again and that is what we will do now.”

He confirmed that officers will now explore a range of alternative development options before bringing them back to members for consideration.

What happens next

Council officers will now go back to the drawing board, looking again at the scope and design of the transport hub in light of the concerns raised during consultation. The reassessment will not only consider changes to the scheme itself, but also how any new transport project can support the wider regeneration of Neath town centre.

As part of this process, the council says it will work closely with partners including Network Rail, Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to explore whether the railway station could be incorporated into a future scheme. The aim is to ensure that any new proposals are fully aligned with a broader masterplan for the town, rather than being developed in isolation.

Why scrapping the scheme was ruled out

While councillors agreed the transport hub could not proceed in its current form, they also dismissed the idea of abandoning it altogether. An officers’ report warned that with Welsh Government investing heavily in public transport through Transport for Wales, walking away from the project would be a “missed opportunity.”

The report cautioned that if Neath failed to develop its own proposals, there was a real risk the town’s infrastructure would be “left behind.” Instead, members agreed the focus should now be on reshaping the scheme so that it better reflects local needs while still taking advantage of wider investment in the network.

More time and engagement needed

The Cabinet acknowledged that more time will be required to develop alternative options and that further public and stakeholder engagement will be essential.

The decision is subject to a three‑day call‑in period, after which work on the reassessment will begin.

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Neath’s transport hub plans sent back to the drawing board

Public says “no” to current design

The six‑week consultation earlier this year drew almost 1,900 responses, and the verdict was clear: residents did not believe the hub was necessary in its current form. Many argued that Neath already has the essentials — a train station, a bus station and a taxi rank — and questioned whether demolishing businesses and removing parking spaces could ever be justified. Others said the real problem was not infrastructure but the decline in bus services, with timetables cut back and evening services disappearing.

Concerns about cost, congestion and community impact

Respondents repeatedly raised the issue of value for money, describing the hub as a poor use of public funds at a time when the town centre is struggling to attract shops and investment. Traders feared that losing parking on Windsor Road and altering pedestrian routes would reduce footfall, while residents worried that re‑routing buses could worsen congestion on already busy streets. Safety was another recurring theme, with some fearing that a new interchange could become a magnet for anti‑social behaviour rather than a solution to it.

Councillors opt for a rethink, not a rush

Faced with such strong opposition, councillors agreed not to push ahead with the existing design. Instead, they backed a recommendation to reassess the scope of the project. Officers have been asked to explore alternative options, taking into account the concerns raised during consultation and the opportunities created by new Welsh Government transport policies. The aim is to bring back a scheme that is more ambitious, more collaborative, and more closely tied to Neath’s wider regeneration plans.

What the rethink will involve

Rather than a single blueprint, the council will now embark on a process of re‑design. This will mean looking again at the layout and scale of the hub, reviewing issues flagged by the newly appointed project team, and ensuring that any new proposal supports the town centre masterplan. Officers will also work closely with Network Rail, Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to see whether the railway station can be included in a fully integrated scheme. Active Travel links and wider placemaking goals will also be part of the conversation.

A chance to rebuild trust

By pausing the project, councillors hope to avoid pushing through a scheme that the community has already rejected. Instead, they say the next stage will be about listening, collaborating and designing something that genuinely improves transport while supporting Neath’s long‑term regeneration. Further public engagement is promised at key stages, giving residents another chance to shape the future of their town.

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“Don’t fix what isn’t broken”: Council thanks public for Neath Transport Hub feedback but concerns remain

The consultation, which ran from 30 April to 11 June 2025, invited feedback on proposals to relocate Neath’s bus station from Victoria Gardens to the front of Neath railway station, creating a new integrated hub for bus, rail and taxi services. While the council says public input will help shape the next phase of development, many residents have voiced strong opposition — questioning the practicality, cost and impact on the town centre.

“Don’t fix what isn’t broken,” wrote Neil Nash Ashmead, one of many commenters concerned about the scale of the proposed changes. “How on earth do you put the size of Victoria Gardens terminal into that space? You don’t — you’ll make it a right royal mess.”

Others echoed similar concerns:

• Sue Mason called the plan “total lunacy,” adding: “It’s worked as it is for 50 years… if it’s not broke, don’t waste our taxes.”
• Geoff Workman described the current bus station as “the nicest place in Neath,” warning that the new hub could mirror the “disaster” of Port Talbot’s transport redevelopment.
• Pauline McEwan questioned the need for a hub at all: “Put a shuttle service between the bus and train station — it’ll be a lot cheaper… Neath has lost enough businesses already.”

However, not all feedback was negative. Susanne Wood welcomed the move as “better for disabled people,” and Margaret Kelly recalled that the bus station once operated from the proposed location decades ago.

A council spokesperson said:

“We appreciate the time and effort taken to provide valuable feedback, including attendance at the three drop-in sessions. This feedback will help us explore potential adjustments to our proposals.”

The council confirmed that a detailed report is being prepared based on the consultation responses, which will be presented for consideration. The public will have another opportunity to comment once a planning application is submitted.

The proposed hub would feature:

• A modern concourse with covered seating and a green roof
• Live travel information screens for bus and rail services
• Secure cycle storage and improved walking routes
• Enhanced accessibility and safety measures

The scheme is backed by Welsh Government funding for its design and development phase, and is considered a high priority in Wales’ national transport strategy.

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