The invention relates to a valve assembly for admitting air into and/or releasing air from spring-loaded brake cylinders in a trailer vehicle with a pneumatic brake system, comprising a first connection for a line connected to a storage container of the trailer vehicle, a second connection for a line which leads to the spring-loaded brake cylinders, and a first pneumatic control inlet. The first connection can be connected to the second connection depending on the pressure at the first control inlet and regardless of the pressure in the service brake cylinders, and the first control inlet is connected to a line connected to a control connection of the trailer vehicle or to a line connected to the storage container.