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A new direct bus service connecting Blackwood and Newbridge to the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran is set to be on the road within the next few weeks, First Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed.

The £350m hospital opened in late 2020, but public transport between it and Caerphilly County Borough has been an issue.

Responding to a question posed to him in the Senedd chamber by Caerphilly MS Hefin David, Mr Drakeford said: “We’re in the final stages of finalising arrangements to introduce that new direct bus link to the hospital from Blackwood, Newbridge and Pontypool, and that service will begin within a few weeks, in July.

“It will be a direct contract between the Welsh Government and the bus operator here in south Wales in order to get that service to happen.”

He continued: “The service will operate on an hourly basis throughout the day, and we will carefully monitor its effectiveness over the first six months.

“That direct service will also connect with other bus and rail services at key hubs and interchanges.”

Mr Drakeford said an exact start date will be announced shortly.

Caerphilly MS Dr David, who has held talks with the Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board about arranging a direct bus service, said: “It is brilliant news, but is only the first step.

“The service will be monitored and stage two of the plans, rolled out after the first six months, expand to areas within my constituency including Nelson and Ystrad Mynach.”