Rail link: Plans in for £1.2m station

Newport council has received plans for a £1.2m station with 56 park and ride spaces, and room for another 19.

It is one of six new stations being built for the opening of the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line in 2005 or early 2006.

But backers of the Argus Get Us Back on Track Campaign say the Valleys should get its vital link to Newport at the same time as Cardiff, instead of three years later.

A rail link between Ebbw Vale and Newport is unlikely to open until 2009 because of capacity issues and signalling work needed at Gaer Junction, a spokeswoman for Network Rail said.

Councillor Ernie Watkins, who represents Rogerstone, welcomed the new station but said the Newport link needs to be pushed forward. He added: "It's more of a priority to get the trains into Newport than it is to Cardiff.

"The new station is a great asset, but if it's possible to, do open the Newport line at the same time then that would be even better. The M4 is being overloaded at peak times and there are heavy queues around Rogerstone.

"I'm in favour of rail and public transport. Improv-ements to the Rhondda line have made a huge difference to that valley. The same could happen here." And Graham Moore, chief executive of regeneration group Newport Unlimited, said: "We continue to push for the Newport link to be opened as soon as possible.

"We've developed proposals to update Newport station and we welcome park and ride interchanges such as the Rogerstone plan."

David McCallum, principal engineer with designers Capita Gwent Consultancy, said the new Rogerstone station would consist of a single platform on the former sidings.

The plans contain a passenger help point, a pick-up and set down area, and four cycle lockers.

The land was reserved for the station by the council under a planning agreement with Westbury Homes, the developers of Afon Village. New stations are also planned for Ebbw Vale, Llanhilleth, Newbridge, Crosskeys and Risca.