The Council has identified funding for the Ebbw Vale Cableway to keep it open.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Blaenau Gwent Council were scrapping the £2m cable car system to save money due to a council budget shortfall of £6.6m. In addition to this, the on-going maintenance costs were estimated to be in the region of £50,000 a year.
Following the announcement, the cable car was due to close on April 28, however due to a new funding source, the transport system will now remain open.
Leader of the Council Steve Thomas says:
“Following work undertaken by officers of the Regeneration and Environment department, alternative funding has now been identified which means that we can now keep the Cableway open. The development of alternative funding will keep the link available for the public and protect it from frontline budget pressures while we endure the current funding crisis.
“As I said some weeks ago, Councillors from both political groups in Blaenau Gwent have been eager to see the link saved, as it was always a difficult decision to mothball the facility. But, as we have explained previously, we are facing an extremely challenging financial situation which has meant tough choices about services. We have heard from many people who use the Cableway to access education, work, leisure, and local amenities, especially those with mobility problems and vulnerabilities. Their feedback has been uppermost as we worked towards this positive solution.”
