THE future of the Ebbw Vale to Newport rail link will be discussed at a crunch meeting in London today.

The Argus has been campaigning for more than a year for the vital link to re-open at the same time as the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff route.

On Tuesday the Argus reported how the man in charge of Britain's railways was looking to secure more cash from the UK government to make that happen.

Now Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) officials will discuss proposals to bring forward the opening date to 2005.

A spokeswoman for the SRA, the body responsible for applying to the government for rail cash, said: "The meeting between the planning director and various other officials is to consider how to deal with any application for additional funds for the Newport to Ebbw Vale link. We have not yet been formally asked for additional funds, but have meetings scheduled with the Assembly government and Network Rail in the coming days and weeks, and expect to be formally approached for additional funds."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport, in Westminster, said: "We are fully aware of the importance of regeneration schemes in the Ebbw Valley following the closure of the Corus plant.

"It is for the Strategic Rail Authority to consider any application to central government for additional funds to enable the Newport link to open earlier than originally planned.

"Any additional funding would have to pass the SRA's value-for-money and affordability tests. The SRA would need to be convinced that the proposal is the best and most cost-effective way of delivering the Assembly's aspirations. It would then have to consider the proposal against the many other demands on its funding. At present there is considerable pressure on the SRA's budget."

Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law, who met Network Rail chairman Ian McAllister, said: "I am pleased that they are having this meeting, it shows they are taking it seriously.

"There has been no money forthcoming from the central government so far, and I welcome any build-up of momentum following the positive meeting with the chairman. I applaud the Argus campaign and wish it every success."