Northumberland Line On Track As Approval Granted
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
These are the first three paragraphs.
A new rail line in Northumberland – including six new stations – is on track after getting ministers’ support.
The aim is to open the stations and upgrade track between Newcastle and Ashington by December 2023.
Following an inquiry, the government has granted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) authorising the closure of level crossings and purchase of land.
Northumberland Council said it was a “key milestone”.
These two paragraphs describe the project.
Construction work on the line is due to start this summer.
It is planned to run a half-hourly passenger service along the 18-mile line, stopping at Bedlington, Blyth, Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park Metro station.
We need more rail reopening like this to level-up the country.
The Anonymous Widower 
Full funding for the scheme hasn’t been announced yet though but as a shovel ready scheme to push the leveling up agenda im sure that’s just a matter of political timing. The next obvious one to push was Portishead but govt seem lukewarm on helping the WCA close the funding gap although its another project that is taking staggering sums of money for an already largely open operating like like Ashington.
Comment by Nicholas Lewis | June 29, 2022 |
With respect to Portishead, it should be born in mind, that First Group have now secured the contract to run trains on the GWR contract for a few more years. So is it a lower priority for them? It would surely be an ideal route for hydrogen trains.
Comment by AnonW | June 29, 2022 |