A DIRECT rail link between Newport and Ebbw Vale is crucial for the two areas to prosper, an AM has said.

Politicians and others have repeatedly called for such a link to be created for a number of years, but with no sign of action from the Welsh Government.

Now Newport East AM John Griffiths has written to economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates asking for a meeting to discuss the issue.

The Labour AM said he met representatives from Network Rail, who had told him options to increase services in south Wales would be clear in the autumn.

"In the first instance extra capacity should be used for a direct passenger link to Newport," he said.

"This service has been a missing part of local connectivity for too long and must now be remedied at the earliest opportunity.

"People from the Ebbw Vale area will then have greater job, shopping and leisure opportunities in Newport together with a better route to connecting services to London and numerous other destinations.

"And Newport residents will enjoy better access to all towns along the line."

Earlier this month it was announced a set of five new four-carriage trains would be on the lines in Wales from next year.