Gwent | Archive | 2002 | September | 4
From the South Wales Argus, first published Wednesday 4th Sep 2002.
THE Argus campaign to re-open the Newport to Ebbw Vale rail link was yesterday given a massive boost.
A bid for nearly £10 million Euro cash is being prepared to help fund the re-opening of vital rail links - and the bid covers the lines for Ebbw Vale, Cardiff AND Newport.
And politicians say they are now "confident" the Newport link will open earlier than planned.
On July 3 the Argus launched the Get Us Back On Track campaign.
We want the vital Newport to Ebbw Vale link, currently used by freight trains, re-opened in 2005 - the same time as the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line.
We believe it is essential to give Ebbw Vale people access to job opportunities in Newport - and nearly 650 people have returned coupons pledging support.
Blaenau Gwent council leader John Hopkins and Assembly Member Peter Law both said yesterday they believe the line could be open to passenger trains at least a year earlier than projected.
Mr Law says the new mood of optimism was as a result of the Argus' campaign and trains could now be running on the link by 2007.
Railtrack previously said it may not be possible to open the line to Newport before 2008, because of signalling problems on the line and a shortage of skilled signalling engineers.
But Mr Law revealed yesterday: "I believe it is thanks to the good work done by the South Wales Argus that we have been able to secure a movement in the plans of Railtrack - and it is quite possible we will see the link to Newport brought forward by at least a year."
He pledged to continue political pressure to ensure both links opened as soon as possible.
The bid for £9.3 million of Euro cash will be submitted to the Wales Euro Funding Office by the Objective One Partnership Board.
Objective One funding is available for job creation in employment blackspots, such as the Gwent valleys.
The board - which spearheads Blaenau Gwent's Objective One strategy - says the project meets all the necessary criteria.
Costing £27.2 million in total, it is the single largest bid for the area.
Separate bids are also being made for major contributions from the National Assembly's fund - made available following the Corus plant closure - the Strategic Rail Authority and the government's transport grant.
Councillor John Hopkins said: "I think we may now secure the link to Newport earlier than the projected date." He said a lot of pressure was being put on the National Assembly by local AMs about the issue.
"This is an innovative project that will improve transport links and open up opportunities to large sections of the community. People will benefit from better access to work, education, training, health and leisure activities."
A spokesman for Railtrack said if other signalling work nationwide were completed early, re-opening the Newport link could be brought forward by six to 12 months, as 2008 was the last date by which work on the Newport link would be done.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008