Rosemary Butler, Paul Flynn MP and local supporters staged a protest at Rogerstone station as part of the campaign to get the Ebbw Vale to Newport rail link opened before 2010.

Carrying placards showing mock ups of return tickets to Newport - with the date left blank - they watched as the 1.10 train from Rogerstone made its way to Cardiff instead.

Local residents who want to travel to Newport will have to take a shuttle bus from Rogerstone station.

The Newport line is not being used by passengers

because work needs to be carried out to bring points and signalling up to the standard required for passenger services. Network Rail say it won't be completed before2010 and no funds have been allocated.

Newport West MP Paul Flynn said:

"For every technical problem, there's a technical solution.

"We're certainly going to re-double the pressure and try to bring that date forward, both in parliament and in the Assembly."

Rosemary Butler has also been pressing the Assembly Government for an earlier completion, and says she will continue to do so until it happens.

Rosemary Butler said:

"I am very pleased that part of the constituency is now linked up with the Blaenau Gwent line through Rogerstone, but I'm also very disappointed that there are still no firm dates for completion of the route to the centre of Newport."

Tuesday, February 12