Northumberland Line: hopes still high for 2024 opening

The first test run has taken place on the 18-mile route, as the project’s final cost was confirmed at £298.5m.

Originally due to open this summer, the county council said that the service will be up and running later this year.

The Northumberland Line will initially bring access to stations in Ashington, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Manors en route to Newcastle. Stations in Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Northumberland Park will follow.

The opening of the new Newsham road bridge on the A1061 in Blyth on 1 August means the required new signalling system can be completed and all the new track installed along the route can be used. Services have not run on the route for 60 years.

This month is also due to see the installation of the cycle bridge over the A189, connecting northern Blyth to Blyth Bebside station, another key piece of infrastructure.

Ticking off another milestone, in late July the Palmersville underpass opened for public use. This connects the public right of way either side of the future Northumberland Lines, removing the requirement for pedestrians to cross the railway.

The Northumberland Line project involves a number of key partners working together including Northumberland County Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and train operating company Northern.

Programme director Neil Blagburn said: “Speaking on behalf of the partnership, we’re delighted to have reached these key milestones, thanks to the hard work and dedication of all the people and organisations working on this hugely ambitious scheme.

“With each passing week we’re getting nearer to running a passenger service again for the benefit of everyone in South East Northumberland and beyond.”

Travelling the length of the line will be a journey time of 35 minutes, with a single fare of £3.

David Ball, senior sponsor for Network Rail, said: “This programme has been much more than dusting off some old infrastructure or re-painting a few stations.

“Bringing this line back to life has meant renewing almost everything that remained since the last passenger service in the mid-60s, with a brand new signalling system and new track both key to getting the journey times and capacity – alongside the existing freight services – that will make this line a critical part of the North East rail network.

“A programme of this scale has brought challenges, but we are now tantalisingly close to being able to catch the train on this line again, and, together, we’re working flat out to complete the final phases of work to get the trains up and running.”

The final cost of £298.5m for the scheme has been confirmed, as all the stations are now under contract. This is made up of contributions from the DfT, Northumberland County Council and Network Rail.

Blagburn continued: “We’re delivering six new accessible stations, a half hourly service and 35 minute end to end journey time – benefiting not just those who live along or near the line – but bringing a huge regional boost in terms of travel and access to jobs, housing and education.”

The partners said that weather conditions had played a part in completion being delayed. Blagburn added: “This has been a real team effort and as with any large and complex project, challenges often arise.

“But we’ve hit these critical milestones and everyone is now focused on passenger services running again in the very near future.”