With the SRA evaluating a 20% cut in funding for the Wales & Borders franchise and R Bowker's observation that there is little scope for reopening lines, the prospect of both the Ebbw Vale and Vale of Glamorgan lines actually reopening seemed grim. But these schemes are important components of the Assembly's transport, social, environment and regeneration policies and it has been announced the Assembly will be providing additional capital plus on-going revenue support for three years in the case of Ebbw Vale.
It will also provide all the capital needed for the Vale of Glamorgan scheme, and has secured a commitment from the SRA to provide the revenue support. Both projects were the subject of bids under the RPP funding scheme, made (and even awarded, in the case of VoG) before that fund was suspended. The money will come from the Assembly's block grant, not from the SRA's budget. But it was stated that this revenue support would be additional to the baseline subsidy for the W&B franchise. This is essential, otherwise these new services would simply be provided at the expense of cuts elsewhere. The unwillingness of the SRA to fund rail developments in Wales has drawn attention to the Assembly's limited powers in this area, but meanwhile its action in safeguarding these rail projects is to be applauded.
So Ebbw Vale reopening is now expected to take place in late 2005 and will initially comprise an hourly service to Cardiff, by-passing Newport (a controversial aspect). Vale of Glamorgan reopening has been further delayed; it was announced in January 2001 that services would commence on the Barry-Bridgend section in either autumn 2002 or spring 2003. Two years later, and the reopening date is still just as far into the future as when first announced! The scheme seems to have become a victim of the Railtrack/Network Rail saga and the most optimistic reopening date is now quoted as late 2004.