A NEW railway station is on its way to Newbridge. Planners have given the go-ahead for the two-platform station at Bridge Street.

A footbridge will provide a direct link between platforms, as well as connecting with the new 107-space car park in the town centre. Planning consent also includes outline permission for a small convenience store.

Newbridge is one of six new stations on the rail link to Cardiff and Newport - the others being Ebbw Vale Parkway, Llanhilleth, Cross Keys, Rogerstone, and Risca and Pontymister.

Richard Crook, head of business services and community regeneration at Blaenau Gwent council, said: "The various components of the rail project are all fitting into place, and it has also been incorporated in the Arriva Trains timetable for 2006.

"There will be an hourly service from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff to encourage people to leave their cars and use the train."

Capita Gwent Consultancy is managing the design work and procurement for the stations on behalf of the three Gwent authorities.

Principal engineer David McCallum said: "Newbridge station is a key interchange on the Ebbw Valley line due to its geographic location and the opportunities for interchange with all modes of travel. It will provide access between Newbridge and the centre of Cardiff in 35 minutes, when services commence."

David Williams, Caerphilly's chief engineer, said: "We very much welcome this important step forward in the project to re-introduce rail passenger services to the Ebbw Valley."

The Argus Get Us Back On Track campaign has called for the line to Newport to open at the same time as - or before - the service to Cardiff, which is due to begin in summer 2006.