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Work begins to restore rail link Ebbw Vale's train link restored
(about 1 hour later)
Work begins later on laying the tracks for a multi-million pound rail link between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff. Work is to begin on laying the tracks for a rail link between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale - which it is hoped will boost one of Wales' most deprived areas.
The £30m project, backed by the Welsh assembly government, aims to boost one of Wales' most deprived areas. It has been 44 years since the last passenger train ran in the area.
There will be six stations on the route and it is hoped the hourly service will provide better commuting opportunities for people in Blaenau Gwent. Now the line which has been used for freight services, is being upgraded with six new stations being built.
But there are concerns voiced by the Liberal Democrats about the quality of rolling stock that will be used. It is hoped the hourly service will provide better commuting opportunities for people in Blaenau Gwent.
The Ebbw Vale rail link scheme will upgrade 18 miles of railway line for passenger services, restoring a link with Cardiff that was severed in 1962.The Ebbw Vale rail link scheme will upgrade 18 miles of railway line for passenger services, restoring a link with Cardiff that was severed in 1962.
'Beautiful landscapes''Beautiful landscapes'
Trish Law, assembly member for Blaenau Gwent, said she was "delighted" work was starting on the rail service after her late husband Peter Law had campaigned for the service.Trish Law, assembly member for Blaenau Gwent, said she was "delighted" work was starting on the rail service after her late husband Peter Law had campaigned for the service.
She said: "It gives our people in Blaenau Gwent the chance to get to Cardiff and to get to Newport either for leisure or for work.She said: "It gives our people in Blaenau Gwent the chance to get to Cardiff and to get to Newport either for leisure or for work.
"But it also gives others the chance to come into Blaenau Gwent - which is absolutely beautiful - to see what we've got here. A lot of history and beautiful landscapes.""But it also gives others the chance to come into Blaenau Gwent - which is absolutely beautiful - to see what we've got here. A lot of history and beautiful landscapes."
Ebbw Vale's rail link was severed in 1962Ebbw Vale's rail link was severed in 1962
Welsh Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies will launch the track work at Ebbw Vale on Thursday at 1130 BST.Welsh Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies will launch the track work at Ebbw Vale on Thursday at 1130 BST.
The project is a key part of the continued regeneration of the area following the closure of the Corus works in 2002.The project is a key part of the continued regeneration of the area following the closure of the Corus works in 2002.
Transport expert Stuart Cole of the University of Glamorgan said the scheme is about regeneration.Transport expert Stuart Cole of the University of Glamorgan said the scheme is about regeneration.
"It's people's opportunities to get jobs, people's opportunities to take part in social events and people's opportunities to improve their environment and lifestyle," Professor Cole said."It's people's opportunities to get jobs, people's opportunities to take part in social events and people's opportunities to improve their environment and lifestyle," Professor Cole said.
New stations along the route will include Abertillery, Llanhilleth and Risca.New stations along the route will include Abertillery, Llanhilleth and Risca.
However the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Mike German said he was concerned about the standard of the service. However, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Mike German said he was concerned about the standard of the service.
"What sort of trains are people going to travel in? Are they going to be comfortable or are they going to be squashed up like bottles in a milk crate?" asked Mr German."What sort of trains are people going to travel in? Are they going to be comfortable or are they going to be squashed up like bottles in a milk crate?" asked Mr German.