ASSEMBLY education minister Jane Davidson is being asked to back the Argus Get Us Back On Track campaign - for the sake of Ebbw Vale students.

Newport East AM John Griffiths, who supports our campaign, pressed the education minister during questions at the Assembly on Thursday.

The move followed an exclusive interview with the pioneers of the new Learning Campus planned for Ebbw Vale, David Mason and Professor James Lusty, which we published on Wednesday.

They argued that a new campus would be seriously affected if there was no rail link to ferry students between Ebbw Vale and Newport.

And on Wednesday, we revealed how First Minister Rhodri Morgan had finally given his backing to our campaign - after at first refusing to discuss it.

He eventually told us: "I agree entirely with the principle."

But then he warned the line could not be reopened yet - because of the cost.

The Argus is campaigning to get the rail link from Ebbw Vale to Newport opened in 2005 not 2008 as planned, because Ebbw Vale and Newport need it for jobs, training and prosperity.

Mr Griffiths told Ms Davidson: "Coleg Gwent and University of Wales Campus Newport are both planning the new Learning Campus in Ebbw Vale.

"They have made it clear that they back the South Wales Argus' campaign to open the rail link between Newport and Ebbw Vale. They said that if this link is not opened it will seriously impede their efforts, and affect their retention rates."

He added: "Would the minister agree that it is vital for Ebbw Vale to have (the Newport) rail link operating when the campus is open?"

Mrs Davidson evaded the question by talking about £7 million of block funding that had been set aside for other purposes.

And she said: "I am sure that the students at the Learning Campus will be happy to see the rail link opened."

But she would not be drawn on the timescale for the Newport to Ebbw Vale link being reopened.

The new campus in Ebbw Vale will be opened in the next two years and a hospital is also planned.

There will be a rail link to Cardiff opened in 2005, all funded by a £95 million rescue package agreed when it was announced the Corus steelworks were closing.

* In the picture: Signals at Park Junction, the Gaer, on the Ebbw Vale to Newport line.