A NEWPORT to Ebbw Vale rail link would throw open opportunity to some of Wales’ most deprived communities, the city council leaders claim.

Council leader Matthew Evans said connectivity was central to Welsh economic renewal and would be ideally placed in both Newport and Ebbw Vale, which would be home to some of Wales’ most significant regeneration in 2012 and 2013.

This includes The Works and Enterprise Zones in Ebbw Vale and Glan Llyn housing development and Friars Walk shopping and leisure scheme in the city.

His comments came in a letter to Wales’ finance minister Jane Hutt, congratulating her on championing the cause for capital investment in Wales with the UK Government.

Cllr Evans said the Ebbw Vale to Newport railway link would be an ideal infrastructure project if the funds were made available.

He said: “There are a number of infrastructure projects in Wales ready and waiting to proceed should capital funds be made available, but there can only be one priority for south east Wales – a direct rail link between Newport and Ebbw Vale.”

He added the link would be of great benefit to the 30,000 commuters who come into Newport to work daily and would bring opportunity to some of the country’s most deprived communities.

Councillor Ed Townsend, Newport’s cabinet member for regeneration, said train services would support the major economic developments in both areas and would have huge employment benefits as workers would be able to travel more easily between the valleys and Newport.

Earlier this month, Ms Hutt pressed for increased capital investment in this month’s budget and said there were a number of schemes which could be brought forward or accelerated if additional resources were available.

The Argus has campaigned for more than a decade for the Ebbw Valley rail link to be reintroduced.