A PETITON to try and bring a train station to Abertillery is close to 1,000 signatures.

It was started by Antony Partridge, 29, from Abertillery, on Tuesday, January 7, as a result of him being unhappy at the lack of public transport links for residents in the area.

“We’ve been waiting a very long time for a train station and believed that was in the process of coming,” he said. “People here are struggling to get out of Abertillery, and the nearest station at Llanhilleth is over three miles away.

“This is vital for our town as businesses are struggling and there is high unemployment because people can’t get to other parts of south Wales unless they can drive.”

A Blaenau Gwent council spokeswoman said: “The scheme for a spur and station at Abertillery is a long term proposal that is featured in the Sewta Rail Strategy.

“The delivery of major rail schemes is led by the Welsh Government, however Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is currently looking to identify and protect the land required for the future scheme proposal.”

You can sign the petition by visiting epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/58786