STILL WAITING FOR THAT TRAIN?

Driver training on the Gaer spur (Ian Brewer)

The news that the Labour in Wales government in Cardiff has agreed to make funds available to finally upgrade the final short section of track to connect the Ebbw Vale line to Newport should be welcomed. It is worth noting that the rail service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff has been running for slightly under 7 years.  Clearly, despite the cuts passed on from Westminster by the Cons Dem Coalition Government, the money is available to pay for the work. So why has it taken so long?  Have their been a lack of vision? A lack of understanding as to how this link will help bring in a more connected rail service and open up the possibilities of commuters travelling direct to Newport o catch trains to work further a field? The decision, if action, does not necessarily mean that any additional rail services will necessarily be provided by the rail franchise holder, when the franchise is renewed. So we all may yet have a long wait for this particular train…