Part of 2. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:08 pm on 21 June 2016.
Okay. Thank you for that answer. The scheme to reintroduce passenger services back to the Ebbw Vale railway line between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff, including stations at Risca and Pontymister, Crosskeys and Newbridge, has been a resounding success with the public. A great part has been funded by EU structural funding; i.e. it would not have happened if it had been left to the Tory cuts that have occurred in Wales. Will the First Minister provide an update on how Welsh Government is both progressing and facilitating the process within which the communities that I represent, served by the Ebbw Vale railway line, can access the great city of Newport as soon as possible, to ensure critical connectivity for jobs, markets and community regeneration? Would he also comment on the importance of EU funding in such critical infrastructure projects for the future?