<-- News Release

PLANNING PERMISSION NOW GRANTED FOR ALL STATIONS ON EBBW VALLEY RAILWAY 

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning committee has granted planning consent for two new railway stations on the Ebbw Valley Railway line: Risca and Pontymister, and Crosskeys. The former is near Mill Street, Risca and the latter near Carlton Terrace, Crosskeys.  

The railway stations each comprise twin platforms with passenger waiting shelters, seating and two-way passenger help points.  

Risca and Pontymister station has park and ride car park facilities incorporating designated areas for setting down/picking up passengers as well as secure bicycle storage. The car park can accommodate up to 93 vehicles. A new subway will be provided to link the two platforms. 

At Crosskeys two disabled parking spaces are provided near the access road. A pick up/set down area and cycle storage are also provided at this site.   

All six stations along the line have now been granted planning approval and construction work is due to commence in Spring 2006. The other stations are at Rogerstone, Newbridge, Llanhilleth, and Ebbw Vale Parkway.  Passenger services are scheduled to commence in Spring 2007 with an hourly passenger service to Cardiff. 

The ambitious proposal to reintroduce passenger trains on the Ebbw Valley railway line is being led by Blaenau Gwent Council, in partnership with Caerphilly and Newport Councils, and is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales. Capita Symonds is managing the design work and procurement for the stations on behalf of the three authorities. Amey Rail is the appointed contractor for the construction works.

Cllr John Hopkins, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said:

“This is another positive step forward in the project, and vital to our goal of completing the whole scheme on time. I look forward to the completion of the new stations in plenty of time for the re-opening of the railway.”