RESIDENTS in the south of Blaenau Gwent will be able to use a key bus service to get to and from Ysbyty Aneurin Bevan in Ebbw Vale from next Monday, for a trial period of 12 weeks.

Llanhilleth Tenants and Residents Association, is supporting the Argus’ and Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies’ campaign to keep the minor injuries unit at the hospital open, and pointed out to Mr Davies that there was no direct public transport link from the south of the county borough.

They highlighted service number 22 (Cwmbran-Ebbw Vale- Cwmbran), run by Stagecoach, which passes through Sofrydd and Llanhilleth, but does not run near the hospital on its way into EbbwVale.

Mr Davies asked the company if it would consider adding the hospital to the route, but Stagecoach said it had not been possible as the number 22 serves Tyllwyn village and a diversion to include the hospital would have been too great.

From Monday July 22 however, the opening of a new road through The Works site at EbbwVale, and the temporary closure of the Steelworks Road means buses will be diverted along the new road to serve the hospital and the Learning Centre at TheWorks.

The diversion is set to be in place for 12 weeks, and a letter to Mr Davies from Stagecoach states this “will give us an opportunity to evaluate the possibility of making the route permanent.”

However “this will mean the service will no longer serve the bus stop at the General Offices and due consideration will have to be given to any comments received from bus users in that area, before a final decision can be made.”

Mr Davies thanked Llanhilleth Tenants and Residents Association for raising the issue, and said he was encouraged by the response from Stagecoach.

“I hope that after the evaluation, the hospital stop can be incorporated into the route. The hospital is for everyone in Blaenau Gwent.

I will do all I can to ensure it is accessible for people all over the county borough.”

‘Use it or lose it’ push is paying off

THE Argus and Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies, right, are campaigning to keep the minor injuries unit open with a Use It Or Lose It message.

Aneurin Bevan Health Board considered closure early this year, because not enough people were using it.

Since the campaign was launched in May, attendances have risen above the minimum requirement.

Later this month the health board will evaluate its earlier decision to extend opening hours.

Opening hours are Monday- Friday, 9am-7pm, and there is x-ray support. It is closed on weekends and Bank Holidays.