“A MAKE SHIFT AND BOTCHED JOB”
William Graham AM describes the chaotic Ebbw Vale – Newport Rail Link Opening
A media release on the 12th December 2007
William Graham (Conservative AM for South Wales East) condemns the opening on the Ebbw Vale – Newport rail link as a typical Labour/Plaid Assembly Government ‘make shift and botched job’.
“Next Friday (14 December 2007), Assembly Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones will ‘pretend’ to open the line Ebbw Vale Rail Link, then dignitaries, school children and guests will board the only train that day at Rogerstone Station – paying passengers will have to wait another 200 hours (over 8 days) for the next train”.
“I think that Hedley McCarthy’s (Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council) comments: ‘that we gave an undertaking that it would be on track before Christmas, we are delighted this is the case and that the first passenger services will run on December 22’ are deplorable”.
“His suggestion clearly indicates people from Ebbw Vale will be able to use this rail link for their Christmas shopping”.
“The fact that this line opens just two days before Christmas fails to realistically meet the commitment made by Blaenau Gwent Council”.
“The fact that the National Rail Enquiry website shows only two trains are scheduled to leave Ebbw Vale on 22 December at 21:40 arriving at Newport at 23:37, or at 22:40 arriving at Newport at 08:02 on 23 December – a return adult ticket costing £7.10”.
“The return trains leave Newport on 22 December at 19:00 arriving in Ebbw Vale at 20:31, or at 22:04 arriving in Ebbw Vale at 23:31 – therefore no same day return journey is possible”.
“Another factor against choosing this service is that passengers will have to take a bus link from Ebbw Vale to Garden Station, Abertillery to Llanhilleth and from Rogerstone to Newport stations”.
“I hope that this new line will make a major contribution to bringing significant social and economic benefits to the region. However you can not describe the opening of this rail line as anything other than a make shift and botched job”.
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk