NEWPORT should have the rail link with Ebbw Vale - not Cardiff, say the city's leaders.

Councillors were backing the cabinet's decision to only co-operate in the joint Ebbw Vale railway project if services come to Newport before the capital.

The Argus is running the Get Us Back on Track campaign - calling for the mile-long Newport link to be re-opened at the same time, or before, the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line becomes operational in 2005.

There is overwhelming support for the campaign since it was launched last year from politicians of all parties and members of the public.

Yet despite considerable pressure from many quarters, the Assembly government has so far resisted such a move.

"There seems to be a lack of political will from the National Assembly Government," said Councillor Matthew Evans.

He said a reluctance to commit to the M4 relief road was also short-sighted.

Councillor John Jenkins said the idea of getting passenger trains running from Ebbw Vale to Newport had first been raised ten years ago.

The reason for the line being re-opened was the closure of Llanwern and Ebbw Vale steelworks and was nothing to do with Cardiff.

"The whole economic argument only makes sense if it comes to Newport. The closure of the steelworks means there are two huge sites which need to be redeveloped.

"People should be able to move between those sites for work."

Councillor Ernie Watkins said: "We know the impact Cardiff has on the economy of Newport. We have to have that line opened."

Councillor Peter McKim said: "We should have a rail link into Newport - Newport is a city and deserves that railway, and the people living in Ebbw Vale deserve all the advantages they can get."

Councillor William Graham said they must persuade the Assembly government that extra money should be made available and said the link was a "vital economic tool".

Council leader Sir Harry Jones said they had already bought as much pressure as they could as a city council.

He is calling on Gwent's AMs and MPs to take up the fight.