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Council bosses will make further decisions over the proposal later this month
Long-term plans to develop a new transport hub in Neath town centre have faced significant opposition from members of the public at a recent consultation.
The proposed scheme could see the new hub built at the front of Neath Train Station, where it would bring bus, taxi and rail services together in one place to make journeys easier.
The proposal would also see the redevelopment of the area around Station Square just in front of the train station, with the relocation of the current bus station from Victoria Gardens.
Responses to the consultation were reported as being “overwhelmingly negative” with very little public support for the scheme from residents who raised a number of concerns.
These included fears around the cost and scale of the development, with the town already having a bus and train station that many would prefer to see upgraded.
Others feared the impact on some local businesses which could be demolished under the plans, with additional concerns over potential traffic congestion in Neath town centre, and proposals they felt did not address the challenges of inadequate bus services.
When asked if the proposed location outside the train station was the right place for the integrated transport hub 77% of respondents said they disagreed, while 73% did not believe the hub would make using public transport any easier.
Members at a scrutiny committee held on October 10, 2025, were also told about a number of obstacles that came with the plans, with the council needing to acquire land titles from eight separate owners in order to deliver them.
These included ongoing discussions with Royal Mail and Network Rail, as well as some others who were said to be “reluctant to proceed by way of voluntary negotiations” which could result in the need for a Compulsory Purchase Order.
Following the results of the consultation, councillors were told how three options would now be looked at by cabinet, which will see them either carry on with the scheme as planned, end it altogether, or pause it in order to reassess the scope and design to address the concerns raised.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Nathan Goldup-John said he supported the third option to reassess the plans, though noted frustration that it had taken three years to get to this point.
Officers said if this was the final decision by cabinet they would review the work that had already been done and potentially incorporate it in to a wider masterplan for Neath.
The council’s leader Cllr Steve Hunt said a transport scheme was vital for Neath town centre though added that it had to be done right, with his preference to go back to the drawing board and create one that was fit for purpose.
The decision over the plans will now be decided by Neath Port Talbot Council cabinet members at a meeting on October 29, 2025. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here
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