Construction Work at Llanhilleth Railway Station to Begin in Mid-April

FINISHING off construction work at Llanhilleth railway station which includes resurfacing a road, is due to start in mid-April, Blaenau Gwent council has said.
During a Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council meeting on Thursday, March 21 the need to find money for road maintenance was brought up.
Talk included asking for £500,000 of interest on a loan the council received from the Welsh Government in 2021 to fund the Ebbw Vale to Newport rail link.
Councillors believed this money could be used on road repairs.
As part of the debate the state of Colliery Way in Llanhilleth was brought by Independent councillor, Lee Parsons who represents the ward.
Cllr Parsons said: “Seven weeks today we were down at Llanhilleth institute with all the fanfare and big opening of the station.
“And Colliery Way in Llanhilleth is still like a teabag, there’s still work for Network Rail to complete at the station.”
Cllr Parsons added that he had asked for a cost estimate of the work and had been told that it’s £40,000.
Cllr Parsosn said: “I have been asking Network Rail for two years or more to resurface the road on completion of their work.”
If this is “not forthcoming” Cllr Parsons wants Colliery Way to be at the council’s list of roads for resurfacing.
He added the residents of his ward have had to make insurance claims for damage done to their vehicles while using the road.
Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Thomas said: “If it’s Network Rail’s responsibility we’ll be on their backs to make sure they undertake or do the work.”
After the meeting Cllr Parsons contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service to stress the need for road repairs and that a “timeline” for repairs had still not been agreed.
During the last few days talks have been taking place between the council and Network Rail to find a solution to the issues.
A spokesman for Blaenau Gwent council said:  “The outstanding works at Llanhilleth Station are due to start in mid-April, following which Colliery Way will be fully re-surfaced.”
A spokesman for Network Rail added that they are “working closely” with the council on “proposals for completing” the work at Llanhilleth station. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​