HUGE support continues to pour in for the Argus campaign to reopen the Ebbw Vale to Newport rail link.

So far readers have returned 550 coupons of support, calling for the vital link to be reopened for passengers in 2005 - the same time as the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line.

And now a senior Railtrack chief says it is possible the Newport link could be restored earlier than planned and for £700,000 - the amount we have always said.

Wales' First Minister Rhodri Morgan told the Assembly recently the cost would be far greater - although he did not know how much more.

But speaking to the Argus exclusively, Railtrack's most senior director in Wales, David Mather, said: "I don't rule out that it might be done for that amount."

And he added the line's reopening could also be brought forward: "The final date of 2008 is a back date, that is the latest date we can predict."

The figure of £700,000 - provided for the Argus by an independent engineering company - was disputed by Mr Morgan as he came under pressure from some Gwent AMs over the link.

But Mr Mather says the main problem is lack of staff. "At the moment it is a case of reality about when the job can be done. It's not so much the money that is holding us back as the resources, particularly people," he said.

We are campaigning for the link to reopen in 2005 to give people in Ebbw Vale access to job opportunities in Newport.

Even the Prince of Wales has expressed surprise the line cannot open at the same time at the Cardiff link.