Train arrives too late to prevent unemployment

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Jan 2005

Welsh Liberal Democrat Michael German has said that re-opening of the Ebbw Vale passenger line in two years time will provide little comfort to the people who lost their jobs at Christmas.

Work on the long-awaited Ebbw Vale - Cardiff line, is due to start later this month. It is hoped that the service will make it easier for people to find jobs in Newport, Cardiff and along the M4 corridor.

Speaking yesterday Michael German said, "The passenger line is great news for Ebbw Vale. However, what is not great is that it will take at least another two years before the line will be operational. Of course, this will be two years too late for the 300 people, from Yuasa Batteries and Merton Packaging, who lost their jobs in December".

Mr German challenged Andrew Davies; Minister for Economic Development and Transport, over the job loses and urged him to "take the brakes off the train so that the rail service from Ebbw Vale to Newport and Cardiff can commence".