Ebbw Valley Railway | Calls for New Year Resolution of Rail Impasse

12.00.00am GMT Thu 3rd Jan 2008

Ebbw Valley Railway - when will it now open?

Almost three weeks after it was due to open, the partners in the Ebbw Valley Railway are still unsure when passenger trains will start running.

Local AM Mike German has called on Blaenau Gwent Council, the Assembly and Arriva Trains to make resolving the problems their New Year priority, so that people can start using the multi-million pound service linking Ebbw Vale with Cardiff.

Mr German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "At a time when people the length and breadth are making New Years Resolutions - the railway's problems remain unresolved. My office spoke to officials in the Assembly, Blaenau Gwent Council and Arriva Trains - none were able to tell us when the line will be open.

"The line was scheduled to open on December 14, but was delayed. Even National Rail Enquiries have no idea when it will open.

"I'm not interested in the blame game, and I don't believe the people of Blaenau Gwent are either. They simply want to see the line open and be able to travel to Cardiff - and eventually, Newport by train.

"I hope we are not waiting for some grand official opening to be re-arranged. The people of the Ebbw Valley have waited long enough for their railway. They want the line right, and aren't concerned about the limelight for a glitzy launch. The sooner it is up and running, the happier they will be."