THE Argus campaign for an Ebbw Vale to Newport rail line at the same time - or before - the Cardiff link has Peter Hain and Wales' first minister, Rhodri Morgan, at odds.

The Argus is campaigning for the Newport link to open in 2005, the same time as the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff rail line, rather than its existing date of 2008.

And First Minister Rhodri Morgan told the Argus recently that "technical issues" - signal problems which would have prevented the Newport link re-opening before 2008 - could now be overcome. He added if that happened, the people of Blaenau Gwent and Islwyn could be asked to choose whether the service to Newport or Cardiff goes ahead first.

But Welsh Secretary Mr Hain, speaking from Brussels this week, sent out a different message about the signals - and contradicted Mr Morgan's announcement. He said: "I do recognise the importance of linking Ebbw Vale directly with Newport as well as Cardiff.

"I understand this calls for some major changes in the signalling systems, but I shall continue to press the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that these are completed as quickly as possible so that the vital new service to Newport can be introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.

"The new passenger service to Ebbw Vale will be a welcome improvement in communications," he said.

Now South Wales East MEP Glenys Kinnock has called for all those who could resolve the issue to get together and do so.

"What the economy of north Gwent needs is a big improvement in transport links," she said. "For too long those outside the M4 corridor have missed out on the economic benefits. Now we need to redress that by creating links like the rail route between Ebbw Vale and Newport."

Blaenau Gwent MP Llew Smith said this week that if there was to be an "either/or" situation between Cardiff and Newport for the first phase, he would prefer that the service goes to Cardiff first.

"But I do not believe it should be an either/or situation, and I don't believe we should be starved of money and resources which will lead to the exclusion of Newport," he said. "What we want is both Cardiff and Newport up and running together, and I believe we have the skills and money.

"For this not to happen would be another example of discriminating against the Valleys."