The number of rail services on the Ebbw Vale line are being doubled after completion of work upgrading the route, a cost borne by the Welsh Government despite not being a devolved infrastructure asset.
From December the upgrade, which includes a new seven mile passing loop between Crosskeys and Aberbeeg, will see rail operator, Transport for Wales, being able to run two trains per hour - one to Cardiff and a new direct service to Newport Station. This will see an almost doubling on curent rail services with more than 60 running daily.
Despite not being a devolved rail asset and a responsibility of the 海角视频 Government and Network Rail, the cost of the rail upgrade has been met by the Welsh Government. The 海角视频 Government failed to prioritise the line for improvement across numerous Network Rail five year rail capital spending periods. The lack of investment in the Welsh rail network - where only the core Valley Lines is devolved - is highlighted by the fact that it receives less than 2% in rail enhancement project spending, despite having around 10% of the total 海角视频 rail network.
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The Ebbw Vale line, which runs for around 13 miles, was brought back into operation by the 海角视频 Government in 2008 having being in disuse for 40 years.
Since then it has invested £90m improving the capacity of the line. In 2014 a new station at Pye Corner in Newport opened serving passengers at the southern end of the network. A year later 1.5 miles of new track was laid to extend the railway from Ebbw Vale Parkway to a brand-new station, Ebbw Vale Town.
The latest investment phase, which has been carried out by Network Rail, has been financed through a Welsh Government interest free loan of £70m to Blaenau Gwent Council.
The only contribution from the 海角视频 Government has been required signalling upgrading at the south end of the line at a cost of £17m.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We have funding this much needed upgrade to the Ebbw Vale line to help Blaenau Gwent deliver its economic development ambitions and improve access to services for local people. As a result Blaenau Gwent were able to act quickly to ensure that delivery of the Ebbw Vale frequency enhancement scheme was aligned with Network Rail’s plans to re-signal the line, avoiding the risks and additional costs of having to alter the new signalling if the scheme was delivered at a later date.
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"We have provided more than £90m for infrastructure works on the Ebbw Vale Line since 2008 including a loan of £70m provided to Blaenau Gwent council for the completion of the frequency enhancement scheme.”
“This again demonstrates the need for the full devolution of rail infrastructure aligned with a fair funding settlement from the 海角视频 Government.”
On the new services from December on the route, Transport for Wales project sponsor Kevin Lewis, said: “These new services will be a huge boost for the local economy giving people more options for leisure, learning and business travel.
“If you want to travel towards Bristol, London or Manchester, you no longer have to double back on yourself to Cardiff, though those services are still there for those heading west.
“Transport for Wales, Network Rail and our partners in Blaenau Gwent Council, as well as Caerphilly Council, have worked incredibly closely to ensure we’ve delivered genuine value for money from this Welsh Government investment. This really has been a truly collaborative effort.”
The project has also seen a fully accessible footbridge built at Llanhilleth and new platforms at Llanhilleth and Newbridge, meaning there is now step-free access to all platforms on the line.
Network Rail with contractors AmcoGiffen and Siemens have been delivering the work on infrastructure for the past 18 months. There will continue to be bus replacement services in the run up to December’s new improved timetable on some Sundays.
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Nick Millington, route director at Network Rail Wales and Borders said: “I’m delighted that we are now entering the final phase of work which will transform how passengers travel on the Ebbw Vale line. We are proud to provide low carbon journeys and support Welsh Government ambitions including its modal shift away from private cars. It will also help connect communities and boost the local economy. “I’d like to again thank passengers and our neighbours for continuing to bear with us as we complete these vital improvements.”
A return ticket from Ebbw Vale Town to Newport will cost £8.30 or £29.10 for a seven-day season ticket.
Councillor John Morgan, cabinet member, place and regeneration and economic development at Blaenau Gwent Council, said: “I am pleased that the work to improve the rail service is nearing completion. Working with our partners in Welsh Government, Network Rail and Transport for Wales to enhance the Ebbw Valley rail link to improve transport links remains a high priority for the Council.
“I have no doubt that a more frequent service will improve opportunities for inward investment, access to employment both within and outside of the local area and enhance a critical transport artery that is seen as a main driver within the context of the wider Cardiff Capital Region City Deal offer and the development of the Metro.”
Councillor Nigel George, cabinet member for corporate services, property and highways at Caerphilly Council said: “The improvements at Newbridge station and the wider works on the route between Ebbw Vale and Newport are a fantastic step forward to improving access for all to public transport.
“Not only will they improve access for disabled travellers, they should also encourage more people to travel by rail and improve the customer experience for families with pushchairs and those with luggage.
“I’d like to thank all stakeholders for all the hard work and Welsh Government for their investment that has gone into making these works a reality and I look forward to seeing the difference they make for people locally.”