AddThis SmartLayers

Argus brings new hope for steelworkers

The South Wales Argus has launched a high-profile campaign to get Newport and Ebbw Vale Back on Track.

A regeneration package already announced by the Welsh Assembly after hundreds of steel jobs were lost includes £15m of investment to re-open a passenger rail service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff in 2005 – but the plan bypasses Newport.

Railtrack says work needed on junction signals before a direct service can run from Ebbw Vale to Newport is not a priority and will not go ahead until 2008.

The Assembly says it is not prepared to fund the necessary works.

Instead, passengers wanting to travel to Newport will have to disembark at a new station outside the city and catch a bus.

The Argus has learned from an engineering company that the estimated cost of the work is £700,000.

Argus editor Gerry Keighley said: “We believe the investment is worth it to link Ebbw Vale to Newport to open up opportunities for people in the north Gwent valleys – the area hardest hit by the draconian job losses in the steel industry.”

The campaign has already attracted support from readers and local MPs.

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]