THE first train will pull in to Ebbw Vale Town Station as it opens this weekend.

The station is part of a £11.5m Welsh Government-funded project, which includes an extension and speed improvements to the railway track.

It is located on the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line and will be served by the existing hourly service, with the potential for additional services to be introduced in future.

The 07:38 Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town will be the first train to arrive at 08.41 on Sunday and the 08.45 to Cardiff will be the first train to depart the new station.

The new station, delivered by Network Rail, features a new station building, 150m platform to fit up to six train carriages, car park, CCTV, customer information screens, waiting shelter, help point, ticket machines and bicycle storage. New track has been installed extending the existing railway northwards from Ebbw Vale Parkway, through The Works and up to Ebbw Vale town.

Welsh Government transport minister Edwina Hart said: "The Ebbw Vale railway line is very popular, with some 300,000 journeys annually.

"Since the Welsh Government opened the Ebbw Vale Parkway station we have also invested in a new station at Pye Corner. Together with our investment in the track, the new Ebbw Vale Town station will improve access to jobs and services for more people along this busy route.”

James Jackson, route enhancement manager for Network Rail Wales, said: “More and more people are travelling by rail and we are working with the Welsh Government to deliver improvements across Wales.

“This improvement to the Ebbw Vale line will build on the success of the re-opening in 2008 and the recent opening of the new station at Pye Corner.

"The extension into Ebbw Vale town, along with the new station, will help boost the local economy by making it easier for many more people to travel by train to access jobs, training and education.”