THE success of Newport’s new Friars Walk development has shown how important it is that a rail link to Ebbw Vale is completed, a Labour Assembly Member has said.

Newport East AM John Griffiths has written to the Welsh Government’s transport minister Edwina Hart asking her to prioritise the link as part of the South East Wales Metro project.

In his letter Mr Griffiths said: “The opening weekend of Friars Walk was a huge success, with 350,000 shoppers visiting the new development.

“It has been suggested that the new shopping centre will double retail sales in the city and increase Newport’s estimated footfall to some 10-12 million people per annum.

“Many of the visitors to Friars Walk – including 102,000 who attended on the first day – would have come from the Gwent Valleys, including from Pontymister, Risca, Crosskeys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth and Ebbw Vale on the Ebbw Vale Parkway-Cardiff Central rail line.”

Mr Griffiths added he “strongly believed” the link should be treated as a priority. 

“The new Friars Walk development has added to Newport’s potential to be a central point for shopping and leisure within South East Wales and the completion of the rail link would support and develop this opportunity for growth in the local economy,” he said.

In reply Ms Hart said the metro project was an important part of the Welsh Government’s plans for the future of south east Wales.

“I welcome the opening of Friars Walk, an ambitious and prestigious city centre in development in the heart of Newport,” she said.

“My officials have been preparing further details of our Metro vision and aspiration, which we will share with members later this year and plans are underway to expand our public engagement activities on the Metro in the New Year.”

Labour candidate for Newport West in next year’s Assembly election Jayne Bryant said the evidence in favour of the rail link was “overwhelming”.