Ebbw Valley Line

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Ebbw Valley Line (Stage 1)
KBFa
Ebbw Vale Parkway
HST
Llanhilleth
HST
Newbridge
HST
Crosskeys
HST
Risca and Pontymister
HST
Rogerstone
HLUECKE ABZlg
to Machen Quarry
ABZlf HLUECKE
to Newport
HLUECKE HBHF ABZ3rf HLUECKE
Cardiff Central; South Wales Main Line
Ebbw Valley Line (Later Stages)
KBFa
Ebbw Vale Town
HST
Ebbw Vale Parkway
HST
Cwm
HLUECKE ABZlg
to Marine Freight Terminal
STR KBFa
Abertillery
ABZrg STRrf
HST
Llanhilleth
HST
Newbridge
HST
Crosskeys
HST
Risca and Pontymister
HST
Rogerstone
HST
Pye Corner
HLUECKE ABZlg
to Machen Quarry
ABZlf STRlg
Gaer Junction
STR ABZfg HBHF HLUECKE
Newport; South Wales Main Line
HLUECKE HBHF ABZ3rf STRrf
South Wales Main Line; Cardiff Central
Ebbw Valley Railway Schematic Route Plan
Ebbw Valley Railway Schematic Route Plan
Ballast Cleaning at Start of Main Works Event
Ballast Cleaning at Start of Main Works Event
Scheme Board at Crosskeys Station Site
Scheme Board at Crosskeys Station Site

The Ebbw Valley Line is a railway spur of the Great Western Main Line in South Wales[1]. The line closed to passenger traffic on 30 April 1962[2], remaining open for freight services only, but was restored to passenger service between 2006—2008. Passenger trains recommenced on 6 February 2008[3][4] initially to Cardiff Central, with a service to Newport at a later date.

Contents

[edit] 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.[5] Capita Symonds were project managing the scheme[6] and the project contractor was Amey Rail. 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.

[edit] Phase One

The first passenger train service started on 6 February 2008 at 6.30 a.m., between the Ebbw Valley line and Cardiff.[4] 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.[7] However, for the foreseeable future, trains will not stop at Crosskeys. 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.

[edit] Phase Two
This article or section contains information about planned or expected public transportation in the United Kingdom.
It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change significantly as more information becomes available.

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 also exist at Park Junction in the Newport area as well as actually at the Gaer Mainline Junction. A faesability study mentioned in Network Rail's Route Utilisation Consultation funded by Network Rail is current underway 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.

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 co-inside with the completion of the Newport Area re-signalling works.

[edit] Works programme

A start of main works event was held in Crumlin on 28 September 2006[8] 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.[8] 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.[4]

[edit] Places served

[edit] References

  1. ^ Great Western Main Line Strtaegic Route Section 13.17
  2. ^ Daniels G and LA Dench Passengers No More Second Edition, London:Ian Allan Ltd 1973 ISBN 0-7110-0438-2
  3. ^ Valley train link ready to open BBC News - 4 February 2008
  4. ^ a b c Train service resumes 46 years on. BBC News Online (6 February 2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-06.
  5. ^ Blaenau Gwent official redevelopment website, accessed 9 May 2006
  6. ^ Capita Symonds Scheme Information Page, accessed 20 Apr 2007
  7. ^ Official Ebbw Valley Railway Scheme Website accessed 20 Apr 2007
  8. ^ a b Capita Symonds Press Coverage accessed 20 Apr 2007

[edit] External links

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Railway lines in Wales:
InterCity lines:
Main lines:
Valley Lines:
Rural lines: