Milestone reached as Ashington line transformation gets underway

WORK to reintroduce passenger services between Newcastleupon-Tyne and Ashington has taken another step forward with the completion of track around Newsham. This milestone marks the completion of the first physical piece of work on the project since the line was closed to passengers in 1964. The Department for Transport is providing £34 million from the Restoring Your Railway Fund to upgrade 18 miles of track, reopening six stations and build three new footbridges. Network Rail is working with Northumberland County Council and Northern to deliver the project, which is set to see services from 2024.