Ebbw Vale line opening delayed

[whole diary]

[Shazz]

The cancellation of the opening of a ^30m railway line between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff only two days before it was due has been strongly criticised.
Blaenau Gwent AM Trish Law said the cancellation "beggars belief".
Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the council had told him of safety and engineering issues before the track could open in the New Year.
Blaenau Gwent Council said it was "bitterly disappointed" and wanted to see the line open as soon as possible.
In a statement, Mr Jones, who is also deputy first minister, said the council had previously assured him "that passenger services would begin before Christmas".
Blaenau Gwent Council is responsible for delivering the project to return rail passengers to the town after 45 years.
   
More at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7140952.stm

[Lee]

More on this in the link below.
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/12/ebbw_vale_rail_link_to_be_dela.html#more

[Lee]

Fresh talks have been held over delays to the Ebbw Vale to Newport rail link (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7145442.stm

After Friday's meeting between Welsh Assembly Government officials , contractors , Network Rail and the council , Blaenau Gwent's chief executive said everything was being done to speed up the opening process.

"Following the handover of the track a project team led by Network Rail will meet to identify any remaining works that need to be completed," he said.

"Network Rail will then work with the contractors to rectify any outstanding issues."

When that work is completed , operators Arriva Trains Wales will be able to train drivers on the track , and finally settle time-table arrangements for the service.

[Lee]

The Ebbw Vale rail link has been given the green light to start after engineering problems led to the official opening being postponed (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7149301.stm

But passengers have still not been told when they can use the ^30m line. Train drivers will first be given training to get used to the new link.

A final inspection was held over the weekend after final engineering issues were resolved.

Blaenau Gwent Council has now handed over the track to Network Rail.

It is thought that no passenger trains will run for at least two weeks.

[Lee]

Still no start date confirmed (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7169534.stm

[Lee]

The rail service between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff, which was supposed to begin before Christmas, will start running on Wednesday (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7226295.stm
 
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.

Quotes :

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mr German welcomed the announcement, 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.