More train services set for city’s rail line

Extra rail services could be sent through Sunderland due to congestion on the region’s main line.

Travel operator Northern Rail had planned to begin running a new Northern Connect route linking Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Carlisle.

But plans to use the East Coast Mainline for the scheme have been rejected by national rail chiefs due to high levels of traffic.

“The North East is expecting a new Northern Rail service, but that service’s introduction has been delayed,” said Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Nexus, the regional transport body.

“Northern Rail had applied to run on the East Coast Mainline, but Network Rail said it didn’t have capacity, although officers are working with them on a proposal to use the Durham Coast route through Hartlepool and Sunderland.”

Mr Hughes was speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the North East Joint Transport Committee (JTC), which oversees travel services.

The JTC’s predecessor, the Transport North East Committee, backed proposals for the Northern Connect route to run via the Durham Coast line. More services are planned for the East Coast Mainline, however, with TransPennine Express (TPE) planning an extension of its hourly Liverpool to Newcastle services to and from Edinburgh also to call at Morpeth.

Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council and chairman of the committee, said: “I think the news from Northern Rail demonstrates further the desperate necessity for investment to upgrade the East Coast Mainline.”