I can say to the Member that my officials are working with Network Rail to review the scheme, as he said—to review the objectives, to review the delivery plan and the cost estimates to deliver the most effective infrastructure solution to enhance frequency of services along the Ebbw line. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that communities along that line are better connected. In terms of the metro project, increasing the capacity of the Ebbw line to four trains an hour should be considered as part of the metro phases, and I’ve requested in the meantime that we focus on driving efficiency to deliver best value for money.

The outcome of the review that I commissioned will inform the most cost-effective methodology for completing the infrastructure works. They are works that we are committed to, and I would say to the Member’s constituents that we are determined to ensure that we deliver a step change in the service that they receive, that we are determined to better connect these communities together, and that we will do it for the least cost to the taxpayer.