Media centre

Wednesday 25 Mar 2015

Track improvements in Ebbw Vale to improve journeys for passengers

Region & Route:

Network Rail has begun working on a Welsh Government funded project to enable a more frequent service for passengers on the Ebbw Vale line.   

The Ebbw Vale line was instantly popular when it re-opened to passengers in February 2008, after being closed for more than 40 years.

Building on this success, the Ebbw Vale frequency enhancement scheme will see improvements to Llanhilleth and Newbridge stations as well as work to double the track between Crosskeys Junction and Aberbeeg Junction.

A new track will be laid alongside the existing track to enable the provision of a more frequent service on the Ebbw Vale line.

Emma White, development manager for Network Rail Wales, said: “The rail link from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff has been very successful, with over one million journeys in the first 20 months – hitting that milestone more than two years earlier than  the original forecast.

“We are building on this success by laying down extra track to improve capacity and reduce journey times. This will help to allow for more frequent and faster journeys and to cater for more and more passengers in the future.”

Residents wishing to find out more about the project are invited to public information events to meet members of the project team and ask any questions. These drop-in events will take place between 3pm and 7pm on:

• Tuesday 31 March at Crumlin RFC, the Clubhouse, Kendon Hill, Crumlin, NP11 4PN.
• Wednesday 1 April at Llanhilleth Miners Institute, Meadow Street, NP13 2JT.
• Monday 11 May at St Catherine's Church, Gladstone Street, Crosskeys, NP11 7QB.
• Wednesday 13 May at Cwmcarn Institute and Village Hall, 128 Newport Road, Cwmcarn, NP11 7LZ.

Work to lay the extra track is expected to be finished this winter. Following this, work will begin to construct the new platforms at Llanhilleth and Newbridge stations. The line will then be re-signalled to allow for a more frequent service in the future.

The Ebbw Vale frequency enhancement scheme is a £40m project, funded by Welsh Government.   

In a separate project, also funded by Welsh Government, Network Rail is extending the existing track into Ebbw Vale and building a new station in the centre of an urban regeneration zone in the town.

Members of the public who have questions about the programme should call our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.