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Anger as £30m rail line delayed Anger as £30m rail line delayed
(about 19 hours later)
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. The cancellation of the opening of a £30m railway line between Ebbw Vale and Newport only two days before it was due has been strongly criticised.
Blaenau Gwent AM Trish Law said the cancellation "beggars belief". Safety and engineering issues are said to have held up the project, and it is now due to open in the New Year.
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. Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said Blaenau Gwent Council, responsible for the project, had assured him services would start before Christmas.
Blaenau Gwent Council said it was "bitterly disappointed" and wanted to see the line open as soon as possible. The council said it was "bitterly disappointed" at the delay.
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". The scheme would restore a rail line to the town after 45 years.
Blaenau Gwent Council is responsible for delivering the project to return rail passengers to the town after 45 years. It would link an area hit hard by a decline in heavy industry with Cardiff, via Newport.
They've had years to get this line up and running, and now, a couple of weeks before Christmas, they let everyone down Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies on Blaenau Gwent CouncilThey've had years to get this line up and running, and now, a couple of weeks before Christmas, they let everyone down Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies on Blaenau Gwent Council
An assembly government source has told BBC Wales that he spoke to a senior council official on Monday and was told: "We are not going to embarrass you. The railway will be 100% ready this week". An assembly government source told BBC Wales he spoke to a senior council official on Monday and was told: "We are not going to embarrass you. The railway will be 100% ready this week".
Mrs Law, an independent AM, described the announcement as a "bombshell". Blaenau Gwent AM Trish Law, an independent, said the cancellation "beggars belief" and described the announcement as a "bombshell".
She said: "If it was not such a deadly serious matter this would be the Christmas joke of all time.She said: "If it was not such a deadly serious matter this would be the Christmas joke of all time.
"How can it be that we get an announcement like this just two days before the much-heralded official opening and 10 days before passenger services resume after an absence of 45 years?"How can it be that we get an announcement like this just two days before the much-heralded official opening and 10 days before passenger services resume after an absence of 45 years?
"Who will finance the £2m of work that needs doing? There are many questions that demand answers.""Who will finance the £2m of work that needs doing? There are many questions that demand answers."
The Ebbw Vale rail link scheme upgrades 18 miles of railway line for passenger services, restoring a link with Cardiff that was severed in 1962.The Ebbw Vale rail link scheme upgrades 18 miles of railway line for passenger services, restoring a link with Cardiff that was severed in 1962.
The project is a key part of the continued regeneration of the area following the closure of the Corus steel works in 2002.The project is a key part of the continued regeneration of the area following the closure of the Corus steel works in 2002.
Ebbw Vale's passenger rail link was severed in 1962Ebbw Vale's passenger rail link was severed in 1962
Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, accused the assembly government of a "series of broken promises".Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, accused the assembly government of a "series of broken promises".
He said: "The government have simply never given the line top priority."He said: "The government have simply never given the line top priority."
Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies said the delay was a "huge disappointment in the area and a complete embarrassment for the Labour council".Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies said the delay was a "huge disappointment in the area and a complete embarrassment for the Labour council".
She said: "They've had years to get this line up and running, and now, a couple of weeks before Christmas, they let everyone down."She said: "They've had years to get this line up and running, and now, a couple of weeks before Christmas, they let everyone down."
Robin Morrison, chief executive of Blaenau Gwent Council, said: "We were assured by all parties that the date of 22 December for commencement of services was achievable, and are bitterly disappointed that last-minute issues have forced a delay.Robin Morrison, chief executive of Blaenau Gwent Council, said: "We were assured by all parties that the date of 22 December for commencement of services was achievable, and are bitterly disappointed that last-minute issues have forced a delay.
"The council's leadership and I are seeking a high-level meeting with all the organisations involved in the project to address outstanding concerns and deliver the service at the earliest possible date.""The council's leadership and I are seeking a high-level meeting with all the organisations involved in the project to address outstanding concerns and deliver the service at the earliest possible date."