An artist's impression of the new line due to open in summer 2007

It is hoped the �30m Ebbw Vale-Newport line, due to open in summer 2007, will give better commuting opportunities to people in areas such as Blaenau Gwent.

Job creation was a theme in last week's Blaenau Gwent double by-election to Westminster and the Welsh assembly, which were both won by independents.

The new MP, Dai Davies, said the new line was vital for the area.

It is part of a drive to encourage local regeneration and there are hopes it will lead to easier access for jobs for people living along the route.

Engineers began testing on the tracks on Thursday, which is expected to take about a month.

They hope to recover sleepers from the tracks of the former Ebbw Vale passenger line to be used in the restoration of the track.

New stations along the route will include Abertillery, Llanhilleth and Risca.

The plan to open the new rail line has been led by Blaenau Gwent Council in partnership with Caerphilly and Newport councils, the Welsh Assembly Government, Network Rail and Arriva Trains.

Engineers will be examining existing tracks along the route

Mr Davies said: "It is vital for this area primarily because it will give access to services in Cardiff and Newport.

"It opens up the valley for us and hopefully it will attract jobs into the area.

"It will encourage travel - it will let the people who live in Blaenau Gwent and spend their money in Blaenau Gwent who maybe don't want to drive to Cardiff get on a train for 50 minutes and get there.

"On top of that, the new line could open up a whole new tourism industry because it is beautiful and it has heritage links with health with (former Labour cabinet minister and National Health Service founder) Aneurin Bevan and with industry."

The project is being headed by Blaenau Gwent Council, whose leader John Hopkins _ the defeated Labour candidate in the assembly by-election - said: "People will from now on be able to see engineers on the line itself.

"I think that will help to reinforce the reality of this project - we are all committed as partners to seeing the reopening of the Ebbw valley rail link, and it really will deliver huge opportunities to the people of Blaenau Gwent and the Ebbw valley region."