Major upgrade work continues on the Ebbw Vale line, and passengers are reminded to check before they travel.
The line will be closed for nine days from Saturday 22 October to Sunday 30 October, as Network Rail work to complete enhancements to stations and track upgrades. These multi-million pound works will deliver increased rail services for passengers in the future.
Once the work is completed in 2023, Transport for Wales (TfW) plans to run a new hourly train service between Ebbw Vale and Newport in addition to the current hourly service between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff. This will help provide increased access to jobs, training and leisure opportunities to communities along the line.
Engineers will be working around the clock to extend platforms at Llanhilleth and Newbridge stations, replace and install a new railway bridge at Newbridge, and renew more than half a kilometre of track near Crosskeys station.
The £70 million funding for the project has been provided by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, via a loan from the Welsh Government. The Department for Transport and Network Rail will then provide a further £17m of funding to deliver a signalling upgrade.
The line will be fully closed for nine days from Saturday 22 October to 30 October inclusive with no train services running. During this time, Transport for Wales (TfW) will provide a replacement bus service between Ebbw Vale Town and Cardiff Central and passengers are urged to check before travelling at www.tfw.wales or on the mobile app. Network Rail teams will continue to carry out work on the Ebbw Vale line until late into summer 2023, with dates of future closures to be provided to passengers closer to the date.
A planned railway bridge replacement at Bridge Street will also require a full road closure from 23:00 on Friday 21 October to 05:00 on Monday 31 October with a fully signposted diversionary route in place.
Nick Millington, interim route director at Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “It’s fantastic to see the transformation of the Ebbw Vale line really take shape. This multi-million-pound investment will transform services on the line and really benefit the communities it serves.”
“I would like to thank the local communities, in advance, for their patience while we safely carry out this work.”
Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Transport for Wales’ Chief Operations Officer, said: “We welcome this investment to upgrade the Ebbw Vale Line. The work to increase capacity on the line will allow us to run direct services between Ebbw Vale and Newport from 2023, as part of delivering the Welsh Government’s vision for the South Wales Metro.”
Councillor Helen Cunningham, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Place at Blaenau Gwent Council, said: “I am pleased with the progress of the work to improve and upgrade Llanhilleth station as part of the major investment to transform the Ebbw Vale line between Newport and Ebbw Vale. I appreciate that Network Rail are doing everything to minimise disruption for passengers whilst carrying out the work and I am sure that passengers will see the benefit of an improved service and more reliable journeys in the future.”
Councillor Julian Simmonds, Cabinet Member for Highways & Transportation at Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners on these exciting improvements that will enhance Newbridge station and it make it fully accessible to all passengers for the first time. These improvements will help to support our Lower Ebbw and Sirhowy Valleys Masterplan which sets out the future development and regeneration opportunities to promote communities, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for residents.”
Councillor Laura Lacey, cabinet member for assets and infrastructure at Newport City Council, said: “It is great to see the progress being made by Network Rail to enhance the Ebbw Vale line. Whether it is increased access to jobs and social opportunities, or reducing carbon emissions through increased use of the line, better transport links will benefit both Newport and communities up and down the Gwent valleys.”
The main activities Network Rail will carry out throughout the October blockade are as follows:
- Llanhilleth station – extending the existing platform in both directions and starting to build a new platform on the opposite side to the existing platform;
- Bridge Street bridge, Newbridge – taking the track off Bridge Street bridge, removing the bridge, installing a new bridge and reinstalling the track across the bridge. This will involve a road closure and a fully signposted diversionary route will be in place;
- Newbridge station – extending the existing platform and starting to build the a new platform on the opposite side to the existing platform;
- Newbridge retaining wall (next to Riverside Park, north of Coed Celynen Drive area) – removing the track, taking down the retaining wall, re-grading the embankment, removing spoil from the area and reinstalling the track;
- Crosskeys – Renewing approximately 520m of track north of Crosskeys station.
