PLANS for a new railway station in Ebbw Vale will be exhibited to the public this week.

There has been no station in the town since the passenger line out of Ebbw Vale closed more than 40 years ago.

The plans for the station represent another step forward for the new line to Cardiff and Newport, which is part of the bid to regenerate the town following the closure of the Corus steelworks.

The link from the Valleys town to Cardiff is now due to open by the end of 2006 but the line to Newport is planned for 2008/9.

The Argus has run a three-year Get Us Back on Track campaign to get the Newport trains running at the same time as those to Cardiff.

Six new stations are to be built as part of the new railway at Ebbw Vale, Llanhilleth, Newbridge, Rogerstone, Cross Keys and Risca.

Planning permission for the station at Newbridge has already been granted by Caerphilly council.

The railway project is being jointly developed by Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly councils, in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly, Network Rail, Newport city council, the Strategic Rail Authority and Arriva Trains Wales.

The exhibition for the Ebbw Vale station is to be held at the Brewster public house car park at the Victoria Business Park, close to where the station would be built, between midday and 7.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Plans for the station go on display for the public to view and comment on, prior to the submission of a planning application to Blaenau Gwent county borough council.

Staff will be on hand at the exhibition to explain the design and answer any questions.

Councillor Dennis Owens, executive member for regeneration, said: "I would urge all interested residents to come along and see the plans for themselves.

"All comments from the public are valued. This is an ideal opportunity to participate in the development of what will be a tremendous asset to the area."