Ebbw Valley Line

The Ebbw Valley Line is a railway spur of the Great Western Main Line in South Wales [ [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2008/Route%2013%20-%20Great%20Western%20Main%20Line.pdf Great Western Main Line Strtaegic Route Section 13.17] ] . The line closed to passenger traffic on 30 April 1962 [Daniels G and LA Dench "Passengers No More" Second Edition, London:Ian Allan Ltd 1973 ISBN 0-7110-0438-2] , remaining open for freight services only, but was restored to passenger service between 2006—2008. Passenger trains recommenced on 6 February 2008 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7226295.stm Valley train link ready to open] BBC News - 4 February 2008] cite web
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7228772.stm
title = Train service resumes 46 years on
accessdate = 2008-02-06
date = 6 February 2008
publisher = BBC News Online] initially to Cardiff Central, with a service to Newport at a later date.

Restoration of passenger service

The restoration project was developed as a response to the closures of steelworks in Ebbw Vale and Newport, and the resulting economic downturn. The project was jointly funded by Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly County Borough Councils, Newport City Council, the Welsh Assembly Government and Network Rail. [http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/theworks/news/041105.htm Blaenau Gwent official redevelopment website] , accessed 9 May 2006] Capita Symonds were project managing the scheme [http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/whatwedo/ourprojects/projectsearch/project.asp?projectid=237 Capita Symonds Scheme Information Page] , accessed 20 Apr 2007] and the project contractor was Amey Rail, a subsidiary of Amey plc. New stations and services are operated by Arriva Trains Wales, the existing train operating company in the region. The local authorities own and operate the station car parks.

Phase One

The first passenger train service started on 6 February 2008 at 6.30 a.m., between the Ebbw Valley line and Cardiff. The service is an hourly passenger service between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff. Dedicated feeder bus services link the line to Ebbw Vale and Abertillery town centres. Feeder buses also operated to Newport City Centre from Rogerstone Station but were discontinued on June 1 2008. [http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/ebbwvalleyrailway/ Official Ebbw Valley Railway Scheme Website] accessed 20 Apr 2007] . Due to delays in construction Llanhilleth and Crosskeys stations did not open until 27 April 2008 and 7 June 2008 respectively.

The works included upgrading the existing track to passenger standard, including reinstatement of 3 miles of double track, new colour light signalling, level crossing renewal and construction of six new stations.

The number of passengers using the service in the first four months has exceeded the target set for the entire first year. Over 200,000 people have travelled on the line since its opening and based on current usage passenger numbers will comfortably exceed the fourth-year target of 453,000. [ [http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/search/2400613.Rail_link_smashes_passenger_targets/ Search | Homepage - South Wales Argus ] ]

Phase Two

A future proposal for the line includes the introduction of a second hourly service to Newport. Before this link could begin the line will have doubled between Aberbeeg Junction and Crosskeys with new platforms constructed at Llanhilleth and Newbridge railway stations.

Significant signalling problems in Newport are also suggested to exist at Park Junction and Gaer Junction. A feasibility study mentioned in the Route Utilisation Consultation funded by Network Rail is currently under way to assess the costs of this enhancement. It is expected that the Welsh Assembly Government would meet the bulk of the costs of the future enhancements, and on 10th September the WAG duly announced funding to cure the problems, with an expected completion date of 2010.

Some of the problems will be removed during the Newport Area Re-signalling process, however because of the obstacles the project as present is referred to as an "aspiration". This means that no firm commitment exists at present. It is likely that an announcement on the future of the project would be in the next few years. Implementation is likely to be between 2010-2018 to coincide with the completion of the Newport Area re-signalling works.

Works programme

A start of main works event was held in Crumlin on 28 September 2006 [http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/ournews/article.asp?newsid=1487 Capita Symonds Press Coverage] accessed 20 Apr 2007] and was attended by Andrew Davies (Welsh Assembly Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks) the leaders of Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly County Borough Councils together with AMs Irene James and Trish Law, local councillors, officers and project stakeholders. The event marked the start of major works on the scheme with a demonstration of a new rail ballast cleaner.

Services began on Wednesday 6 February 2008 with an hourly service in each direction between Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale Parkway.

The first train on the line was packed with officials for the official opening, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones opened the line along with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's former Labour leader Hedley McCarthy. Islwyn AM Irene James was also present for the opening, but Blaenau Gwent AM Trish Law was absent. The first train was waved off at Ebbw Vale Parkway by local residents which welcomed the link as a positive contribution to the valley's long term regeneration.

Places served

*Cardiff
*Rogerstone
*Risca
*Pontymister
*Crosskeys
*Newbridge
*Llanhilleth
*Ebbw Vale

References

External links

* [http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/ebbwvalleyrailway Official Ebbw Valley Railway Scheme Website]
* [http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/theworks/ Blaenau Gwent Steelworks Regeneration Website]
* [http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/ Capita Symonds (Scheme Project Managers)website]
* [http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/whatwedo/ourprojects/projectsearch/project.asp?projectid=237 Capita Symonds Project Information Page]
* [http://www.capitasymonds.co.uk/ournews/article.asp?newsid=1487 Start of Main Works Press Release]
* [http://www.amey.co.uk/html/news_747.htm Amey Rail website]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/4662304.stm BBC News report]
* [http://www.sewta.gov.uk/ South East Wales Transport Alliance]
* [http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/08/ebbw_valenewport_rail_link_put.html RMT report on the Line]