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Thursday 28 Sep 2023

Network Rail on track to deliver final stage of multi-million-pound upgrade to the Ebbw Vale line

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is reminding passengers that buses will replace trains on the Ebbw Vale line on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October as work on the £70m upgrade enters its final stage.  

This weekend, Network Rail will be installing brand new track at Newbridge station and in the Crosskeys area, when a bus replacement service will run between Ebbw Vale Town and Cardiff Central. The work will enable Transport for Wales to launch new services from December, including a new hourly passenger service between Ebbw Vale Town and Newport. 

Before the introduction of new services, there will be a 19-day closure of the line from Wednesday 15 November to Sunday 3 December (inclusive) to allow for the final stage of work to take place. Once complete, the line will see the introduction of two trains per hour – one to Cardiff and one to Newport – opening up leisure and business travel opportunities and boosting the local economy. 

The transformation of the line has been funded by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council via a loan from the Welsh Government, with the Department for Transport and Network Rail providing a further £17m to deliver signalling upgrades and track renewal.  Work on the line has taken place throughout the year, including the construction of two new platforms at Newbridge and Llanhilleth stations this spring, the installation of new signal posts, and track work in various locations along the route. 

Nick Millington, Network Rail's route director for 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.” 

Colin Lea, Transport for Wales performance and planning director said: “We’re pleased to see the Ebbw Vale line improvements reaching their final phase. This will provide two trains an hour all the way to Ebbw Vale Town, half to Cardiff and half to Newport. 

“We’d like to thank customers for being patient while our partners at Network Rail have been delivering the work over the last 18 months. 

“While these last bits of engineering work take place there will be road replacement services in operation and customers should check their journeys before travelling.” 

Passengers are advised to check www.tfw.wales or www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling from Monday 11 December, as the introduction of new services will mean that a new timetable will be in place.