Reopened railway line boosts area’s jobs and environment

AREOPENED railway line connecting a valleys town with Cardiff has “transformed” employment prospects for communities.

The line between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff was reopened by the Welsh Government in 2008, restoring access to rail services for communities through Blaenau Gwent.

A report has found the line has increased access to the jobs market and reduced greenhouse gases.

Peter Brett Associates, in partnership with Beaufort Research and Loxley Consultancy, undertook the final evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund funded Valleys Rail Strengthening (VRS) Project.

The VRS was intended to support enhanced services on key rail corridors linking the Valleys with Cardiff. The total project cost was £22,674,978, including £8,478,945 European Regional Development Fund grant monies. The project ran from April 1, 2008, to April 30, 2011.

The evaluation consisted of two elements. It considered both the new services on the reopened Ebbw Vale Line in February 2008 between Ebbw Vale Parkway and Cardiff Central, and the provision of additional rolling stock to provide strengthened services at peak times on the Merthyr Tydfil to Aberdare, Bridgend to Barry Island, Treherbert to Cardiff Central, and Rhymney to Cardiff Central lines.

The Ebbw Vale line was reopened to reduce the level of car usage, improve access to employment opportunities and key services and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emission levels on roads by providing enhanced rail services during peak travel times.

The main findings of the report show the VRS has:

Delivered a 19% increase in capacity on the Valleys rail network;

increased travel-to-work by rail on strengthened lines by 88% between 2001 and 2011;

removed around 14 million road kilometres annually; improved local air quality; generated around £1m of gross economic benefits each year;

transformed access to the jobs market: and

facilitated new housing developments in Ebbw Vale and Rogerstone.

Economy and Transport Secretary, Ken Skates said: “I was very pleased to note this report found that our funding to reopen the Ebbw Vale Line has provided a significant boost to the economy of Ebbw Vale.”