<-- News Release

COUNCIL URGES ASSEMBLY SUPPORT AS WORK COMMENCES ON RAILWAY          

As construction contracts for the new Ebbw Valley railway go out to tender, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is urging the Welsh Assembly Government to continue to support its commitment to providing a link to Newport as well as Cardiff. 

Advance works have already commenced, with contractors Morricom undertaking clearance of vegetation along the side of the railway, and planning applications for stations at Ebbw Vale, Llanhilleth, Cross Keys and Risca have been submitted. 

Because of difficulties in getting trains into Newport station as it stands presently, the Cardiff line was scheduled for completion first. It had been hoped that preliminary work on the Newport line could be carried out during the first phase of the project, in order to save money later on. 

However, the budget for these works is not presently available from Assembly funds, so the Newport line will form a second phase in the project. 

Contracts for the first phase of the scheme will shortly go out to tender, and it is anticipated that the contractor will be appointed in August, with work commencing in the Autumn. 

Councillor John Hopkins, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council said: “I am pleased that the first phase of the railway project is now under way. 

“This is a vitally important project for the future of Blaenau Gwent, and we are committed to providing a rail link to both Cardiff and Newport from Ebbw Vale. 

“It’s important that all the partners involved maintain their full commitment to the whole scheme, in order that we can deliver the best possible service to all users. 

“The Five Counties Leaders’ Regeneration Forum, of which I am the Chairman, will be seeking a meeting shortly with Andrew Davies, the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Economic Development and Transport, to discuss the second phase of the project, to underline the ongoing commitment to the whole plan.”