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Following
scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet Board with the additional
recommendation below:

Reassess
the scope and design of the scheme with the primary aim of addressing the
concerns and issues raised during the consultation, further exploring the
opportunities for collaboration with key partners and re-developing the scheme
in the context of a wider Neath town centre masterplan.

Officers
will explore a range of alternative development options, which can be brought
back to Members for consideration and involvement at key and appropriate stages
during the scheme development process. This process will include:

·       Considering alterations to
the scope and design of the scheme based on consultation feedback and concerns
raised by the general public.

·       Reviewing and addressing
items identified by newly appointed members of the project team.

·       Considering the wider
regeneration and placemaking objectives for the town centre, and how new
transport infrastructure can support these ambitions, ensuring that a new
scheme aligns with a wider masterplan and town centre regeneration programme.

·       Collaborating closely with
key partners (Network Rail, Welsh Government, and Transport for Wales) to
explore the potential for expanding the scheme to include the railway station,
with a view to delivering a fully integrated transport hub following the recent
transport policy and finding changes and the message form Welsh Government to
be ambitious in transport scheme development to ensure that we have investible
schemes linked to economic growth and decarbonisation. Further consideration
will also need to be given to other modes of transport, such as Active Travel,
and how they link in with any new proposals.