Phase one of Northumberland Line completes
The opening of Bedlington Station concludes the £338m first stage of the publicly funded project, with proposals being formulated to extend the scheme further north over the coming years into Woodhorn and Newbiggin.
The disused rail line was closed 60 years ago, and now once again calls at Newcastle and Manors, as well as new stations in Northumberland Park, Seaton Delaval, Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Ashington.
A journey along the entire route takes around 35 minutes, and as well as the new stations around 18 miles of track has been renewed, the signalling system has been upgraded, and 24 level crossings have been modified to improve safety.
Despite funding for the project rising £130m from an original estimate of £200m, the project has been hailed a success, with more than one million journeys completed since its opened in December 2024.
Recently, the North East Combined Authority committed a further £2.5m to explore the next phase of rail expansion in the North East, including the afore-mentioned plans to extend the Northumberland Line and early-stage work linked to the reopening of the Leamside Line, being carried out by AECOM, and the return of passenger services at Ferryhill Station.
The Northumberland Line project was overseen by the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Northumberland County Council, and operator Northern, with the wider project team comprising Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, AECOM, and consultant SLC.
Northumberland Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “The Northumberland Line sums up the ambition of the County Council to lead on such game-changing projects, but this scheme would not have been possible without the support of all our partners who made that ambition a reality and my heartfelt thanks goes to them.
Rail Minister Peter Hendy, said: “Bedlington Station’s opening is an exciting milestone marking the completion of the transformational Northumberland Line – backed with £300m in Government funding.
“With more than one million passenger journeys completed since opening, the Line is already an outstanding success – delivering faster, more reliable journeys, and unlocking economic growth in the North East by better connecting communities to jobs, education, and opportunities.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “I know how important rail is for our communities, so we have invested millions to get the project completed – including £10.9m for a new station at Northumberland Park and money to bring in the Mayor’s Fares – making travel easier and much cheaper for everyone.
“But we’re not stopping here: we have big plans for rail and we’re cracking on with bringing a new rail line for County Durham along the former Leamside Line and Metro to Washington as well as looking at an extension to Newbiggin – these are exciting times for transport in the North East.”
Olivia Perkins, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure – managing director – rail, said: “With the sixth and final station now complete, the Northumberland Line stands as a testament to long‑term investment, regional collaboration, and meaningful community impact.
“This project has reconnected towns and people, and strengthened the foundations for future economic growth, sustainable travel, and improved access to more opportunities.”
Ian Walters, Managing Director of SLC, said: “The opening of Bedlington marks an important milestone for a project that is already reconnecting communities and creating new opportunities across the region. For SLC, this has been a particularly special project, with colleagues from across our organisation contributing their expertise at every stage since 2017.
“The Northumberland Line shows what can be achieved when partners work together with a shared ambition. We are proud to have supported Northumberland County Council and the wider delivery team in helping deliver a transformational rail scheme that will bring lasting social and economic benefits to communities across the North East.”
