NO PLANS will be put in place for the protracted saga to link Ebbw Vale and Newport by rail until the feasibility study is completed, Wales' transport minister said.

Despite the Argus campaigning for nine years to get the Newport opened, Ieuan Wyn Jones said no decision will be made yet.

Speaking at the official opening of Newport train station on Tuesday, he said: "We're investing money at the Gaer Junction which will allow us to do services to Newport and Cardiff. Once the feasibility study is announced in March, then we will have a more concrete timetable."

Mr Wyn Jones said the work at Gaer Junction is "vital" as it will allow install a connection and improve signalling - both needed before passenger trains can run.

As well as the Gaer signalling work, a second £22.5 million track would need to be built that runs between Llanhilleth and Crosskeys to allow trains to pass each other on the line before a Newport service could start.

The feasibility study is being carried out by Network Rail.

Plans are also under way to build a £6.5 million station in Ebbw Vale town centre on The Works site next to the former General Offices. The new station would be a mile north of the current Parkway station.

The Ebbw Vale to Cardiff rail link was opened in 2008 and measures to improve rail links from Ebbw Vale to Newport and Cardiff were included in the Assembly's first ever National Transport Plan in January this year, but no date has been given for when trains will start running between the Ebbw Valley and the city.

It was originally slated to open in 2008.