Amey awarded £15 million contract to re-open historic Welsh Railway Line

Amey has been awarded two contracts to carry out the regeneration of a rail line in South Wales and the construction of six new stations along the route.  The contract means the return of passenger trains in the Ebbw Valley region for the first time in over forty years. 

The reopened line will provide a direct service between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff and Newport, with construction starting in Spring 2006.

The contract was awarded by the Ebbw Valley Project, which is run by the South East Wales Transport Board. This is a consortium of ten Welsh local authorities which aims to develop an integrated public transport solution for the Ebbw Valley to promote economic regeneration. An area with low levels of car ownership, the new line will provide local residents with access to work, leisure and education activities across the entire region.  The Ebbw Valley area has been in steady decline since the closure of the nearby steel works. 

The contract includes the upgrading of the track from a single operational track with only basic signalling to a track suitable to carry passengers with double-tracks in some areas to provide a passing loop.  Six new stations will be constructed at: Rogerstone; Risca and Pontymister; Crosskeys; Newbridge; Llanhilleth and Ebbw Vale Parkway.

Chris Webster, director of Amey Infrastructure Services commented:

“We are really pleased to have been awarded this prestigious contract, which will make such a difference to residents in the Ebbw Valley region.  Amey has a great deal of experience and expertise in the rail sector and we look forward to starting work on the project early next year, and to working with the members of the South East Wales Transport Board for the duration of the contract.”

The Ebbw Valley line has formed part of the historic Welsh railway network since the 19th Century and allowed the easy transit of essential materials for the local steel and coal industry. This helped open up the Valleys and facilitated the industrial development of the region during the Industrial Revolution. However, traffic has steadily decreased since this time and there is currently not any traffic operating on the line. Amey’s regeneration of the line will lead to a much brighter outlook for the region in the future and provide locals with direct access to the coast and the opportunities offered there and throughout the rest of the region.

Notes to the Editor

1. Amey
   Amey is a leading provider of integrated business and infrastructure services to the public and private sector and is working closely with central and local government to develop major projects, including PFI and PPP projects, in the education, health, transport and defence sectors. Services range from the management of large scale transportation infrastructure to the delivery of professional and back office services, all of which are underpinned by leading-edge technology and a genuine partnering philosophy.  Since 2003, Amey has been part of Grupo Ferrovial, one of the largest services and construction groups in Europe.
2. The Contract
   To support the proposed new passenger services and to make provision for future freight services, the following infrastructure works will be provided by Amey:

• Upgrading of the existing track to passenger standards including provision of check rails on sharp curves
• Re-instatement of double loop track over the central section of route to form a passing loop
• New colour light sig

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