Northumberland Line reopens after 60-year gap
Following investment of close to £300m, the 18m rail route described as a “game-changer” is now serving passengers, with four more stations due to open next year.
The line reopened on Sunday 15 December, a landmark date in the £298.5m programme, which involves the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Northumberland County Council and Northern.
Initially, services are calling at Newcastle, Manors, Seaton Delaval and Ashington, with a journey along the entire route taking around 35 minutes and a single ticket costing no more than £3.
Paul Henry, programme manager for the Northumberland Line, said: “The new line will be a game changer for the local area, providing thousands of people who are fed up of sitting in traffic with a fast and affordable alternative.”
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness were part of the group who travelled on board one of the final test services, which have been running since August.
The track has only been used for freight in recent years, but has now been fully upgraded with new signalling installed.
New stations in Newsham, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park remain under construction and are due to open next year.
Northern will run two daytime services an hour from Monday to Saturday and one train per hour in the evenings and on Sundays.
Passengers will travel on Class 158 trains, which have space for bicycles and wheelchairs, accessible toilets, free on-board Wi-Fi and charging points.
Northern has also worked with Nexus, the public body which runs Tyne and Wear Metro, and Northumberland County Council to provide integrated fares for multi-modal journeys.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group, said: “It’s great to see the railway network expanding and connecting more people in the North East.
“Ticketing on the Northumberland Line will work seamlessly with the Tyne and Wear Metro, simplifying travel and offering greater convenience for our customers.
“We’re proud that this will be the first place in the North of England to introduce Pay As You Go ticketing on National Rail services.”
