Summer opening after all for Northumberland Line

A MONTH after its leader warned of a likely delay to the launch of passenger services on the ‘Northumberland

Line’ between Newcastle and Ashington, Northumberland County Council has confirmed that trains will run from summer 2024 after all, but the stations are to be opened in phases.

The authority said this was to allow services to start “at the earliest possible opportunity” on the 15 mile route, running north-easterly from Benton

North Junction, where freight has been the only regular traffic since local passenger trains ceased in 1964.

Ashington, Newsham and Seaton Delaval will be open from day one, but exact dates are still to be finalised for the other three – Northumberland Park, Bedlington and Blyth Bebside. Confirmation that station completion would be staggered, following months of speculation, was described as a “kick in the teeth” for Bedlington by county councillor Malcolm Robinson. His Blyth-based counterpart Jeff Reid raised doubts that residents would cross town to use Newsham station while waiting for Bebside to be finished.

The delayed completion of Northumberland Park will mean any passengers intending to continue their journey by Metro will have to travel to Newcastle to make their connection.

Council leader Glen Sanderson, who suggested at the end of last year that passenger operations could be delayed until late 2024, said: “We understand there may be some disappointment by adopting this phased approach and thank people for their patience while this critical work continues.”

Ground conditions, including presence of old mine workings, continue to be one of the biggest challenges for station construction. The council has admitted that there is still “a great deal of work” to be completed on the £236 million scheme. Good progress between now and the spring is said to be “critical” to restoring passenger services on target.