AN AM has said that a proposed new railway station in a Newport suburb would provide huge benefits for the local community.

Mohammad Asghar, South Wales East AM, said Pye Corner would be an excellent location for a new railway station and could attract 69,000 passengers a year.

It comes after another Gwent AM, Plaid Cymru's Jocelyn Davies, called for a former halt at Maesglas to be reopened for passengers.

Pye Corner is one of several proposed new stations for the Ebbw Valley Line - with a stop at Cwm and a line to Abertillery also mooted.

Currently a feasbility study looking at the extension of the line's services to Newport is being compiled by Network Rail on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Mr Asghar, who is the shadow minister for equalities and sport and said he has met local constituents to discuss the scheme, said for the line to come to fruition other factors would have to come to play.

"Progress made to the wider develoment of the Ebbw Vale railway is cruicial, particularly the introduction of additional services to Newport," he said. "The Welsh Government must get their act together."

A spokesman for the Welsh Government said: "Network Rail has been commissioned to undertake a detailed feasibility report of the Ebbw Vale line to identify options, costs and benefits.

"This report is expected to be finalised shortly."