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<-- News Release |
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Passenger
services start on Ebbw Valley Railway The
Ebbw Valley Railway opens today - passenger train services will start with the
first train leaving from Ebbw Vale Parkway station at 6.40am.
The service is then hourly to Cardiff Central. The
Welsh Assembly Government and Blaenau Gwent Council announced the news on
Monday 4 February 2008 – the railway project is the first in the UK to be
led by a local authority. Blaenau
Gwent Council has worked in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government,
Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales, Capita Symonds and Amey Rail to re-open the
18-mile former freight line from the Ebbw Vale steelworks and build six new
passenger stations. Cllr
Hedley McCarthy, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said: “This marks an
historic day – the re-opening of passenger services to Ebbw Vale after more
than 40 years. The railway – and its bus links – are an integral part of
our plans for building a stronger and more resilient local economy in Blaenau
Gwent. “We are all looking forward to the opportunities it gives us to travel to neighbouring communities and to Cardiff whether for business or leisure.” Cllr
Harry Andrews, leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said, "The
opening of this new railway line signals an exciting new future for passenger
transport services across the region. As well as greatly improving the
transport network across the area, this development has an even more important
role in helping to connect communities along the length of the line. Here in
the Caerphilly county borough we are delighted to have three new stations
which will bring many benefits to local people, as well as playing a major
role in helping to regenerate our communities across this area” The
Ebbw Valley Railway project is led by the Council and managed by a project
team that includes representatives from Network Rail, Amey Rail, Capita
Symonds and officials from the Welsh Assembly Government. Capita
Symonds, one of the UK’s largest project management consultancies, has been
involved in the development of all elements of the project from the first
feasibility study. David
McCallum, Associate at project managers Capita Symonds, said:
“Today’s start of passenger services is a result of the project
team’s hard work over the last few weeks to resolve outstanding
technical issues - ensuring that passenger services could commence at the
earliest possible opportunity. “We are
proud to have been involved in the development of the project from first
concept through to final implementation and we have worked closely with Blaenau
Gwent Council and rail industry partners to ensure the successful
delivery of the scheme. We hope that the new service - the first
local authority procured rail project in the UK - will be well used by
the local community, becoming a valued asset for years to come.” Network
Rail owns and operates Britain’s rail infrastructure – and has worked with
the Ebbw Valley Railway partners since 17 December 2007 to allow a series of
inspections and to allow the Arriva Trains Wales driver route familiarisation
trials to begin. The Ebbw Valley
Railway will be owned and maintained by Network Rail. Mark
Langman, Area General Manager (Wales) for Network Rail said:
“The achievement today is made possible with huge co-operation from all
participating parties, who are committed towards delivering a rail
infrastructure that meets the highest industry standards.
Network Rail is proud to be part of the project and to have the
opportunity to serve this community by overseeing the daily operation of the
Ebbw Valley Railway, ensuring that it is safe, punctual and reliable for
passengers.” Arriva
Trains Wales is part of the Arriva Group, a leading provider of passenger
transport in Europe, and is one of 26 rail companies in the UK. Arriva
Trains Wales commercial director, Mike Bagshaw said: “Arriva Trains Wales is
delighted to be running hourly passenger services on the Ebbw Valley line from
Wednesday 6 February. This is an important component in the economic
regeneration within Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly County Boroughs and will
provide a sustainable form of transport for travel to and from these areas to
Cardiff and beyond.” The
Welsh Assembly awarded the design and build contract to Amey Rail in November
2005. Work on the main construction contracts began in September 2006. Amey is
one of today’s leading support services providers. Drew Ritchie, Head of Rail, Amey said: "Amey is proud to be a part of the Ebbw Vale rail regeneration project. Rail travel is one of the most sustainable available and the reopening of this line will help encourage use of greener transport, helping to reduce Co2 emissions in Wales. The railway will drive employment and regeneration of local areas and will have really positive effects on the local communities and beyond." For
further information on the railway contact: Communications
Team Mavis
Choong mavis.choong@networkrail.co.uk Maggie
Abbett Arriva
Trains Wales 07071
881278 Karl
Blockwell Charlotte
Crutchley
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