The line was originally to have reopened in 2003

After delays which saw the planned link's opening put back by two years, work will begin in the summer to reopen the line between Barry Town and Bridgend to passengers.

The Vale of Glamorgan line was one of the victims of the Beeching cuts in 1964, which saw branch lines across the UK closed.

Now two new stations - at Rhoose, which will serve the airport, and Llantwit Major - will be constructed, and the track upgraded to enable higher train speeds.

Upgrading

Plans to reopen the rail line through the Vale of Glamorgan were first put forward in 2001, with an opening date of spring 2005.

But uncertainty following the decision to wind up Railtrack caused delays.

Network Rail, which took over management of the rail infrastructure from Railtrack, will oversee the upgrading work, which is being funded by the assembly government.

The passenger service will be run by Arriva Trains Wales.

Economic development and transport minister Andrew Davies said: "Rail transport is a good, sustainable form of travel, especially in areas where there is a lot of commuter traffic.

"The improvements will also help integrate the rail network with Cardiff International Airport.