Valley lines to be electrified ‘by 2019’ (From Campaign Series)

Valley lines to be electrified ‘by 2019’

1:20pm Friday 19th October 2012 in News

Valley lines to be electrified ‘by 2019’

THE £350 million electrification of the Valley Lines will be complete by 2019, the UK Government said.

Transport Minister Simon Burns said it would be “a significant boost” to South Wales, which “will create tremendous opportunities for business travel and passenger travel”.

He told MPs: “The cost of the project is estimated at £350 million and the work is expected to be undertaken between 2015 and 2019.”

Mr Burns claimed the scheme, alongside the £1 billion electrification of the South Wales main line to London Paddington, would lead to improved carriages.

Labour MP Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) said passenger numbers on the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line had “gone through the carriage roof”.

Speaking in the Commons, he added: “Transport infrastructure is crucial in Blaenau Gwent, which saw unemployment rise last month.”