Valley train link ready to open

An hourly passenger service is expected on the new line

A £30m passenger rail service between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff, which was supposed to begin before Christmas, will start running on Wednesday.

Blaenau Gwent Council said the first train from Ebbw Vale would leave at 0640 GMT, with the first service from Cardiff departing at 0635 GMT.

Trains will run once every hour in both directions through the day.

The opening had been delayed for two months while a number of infrastructure works were carried out on the line.

Deputy First Minister and Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones told AMs that the project team had assured the Welsh Assembly Government the service would begin on Wednesday.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mr German welcomed the announcemen,t but said there was still a lack of information.

"I mean to get the first train - but the lack of information continues, as the National Rail or Arriva Trains websites are not displaying timetable information at the moment," he said.

Conservative Andrew Davies said the delay had caused "considerable inconvenience" to public transport users and was a "disappointment" to local residents.

"I hope that December's false start will not have any lasting impact on commuter numbers when the service commences on Wednesday," he said.