The Anonymous Widower

Rail Agreement Signed ‘Subject To Value For Money’

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.

This is the sub heading.

An agreement to reopen a regional rail line has been signed by the transport secretary, subject to the assurance that it delivers good value for money.

These three paragraphs add detail to the story.

Further development work on the Leamside Line, which runs from Pelaw in Gateshead to Tursdale in County Durham, is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) initiative.

Regional politicians said the line could provide train links for 100,000 people in the north-east of England, after it closed to passengers in the 1960s.

The document stated the government would ensure resources were available for the Leamside Line reopening “subject to agreement of that business case and assurance that this delivers good value for money”.

Note.

1. There is an excellent map in the BBC article.
2. It looks like there will be at least five new or refurbished stations at Ferryhill, Sincliffe, Belmont, West Rainton and Penshaw.
3. Belmont appears to have an alternative name of Durham Parkway, so will it be a Park-and-Ride for the area?
4. There will be an alternative path for freight trains between Newcastle and York.
5. In New Direct Rail Link To Seaham: How This Picturesque Seaside Town Will Connect To London Starting December 2025, I described Seaham’s new link to London, courtesy of Grand Central Trains.
6. In Arriva Group Invests In New Battery Hybrid Train Fleet In Boost To UK Rail Industry, I talked about Grand Central’s new trains, which should be in service by 2028 to Seaham and Sunderland.
7. It was in June 2020, that I wrote about Boris Johnson making a speech about the Leamside Line in Boris Johnson Backs Station Opening Which Could See Metro Link To County Durham.

This important link has been a long time coming.

Will The Rail Improvements Between London and The North East Create More Tourism?

Consider.

• The digital signalling will create more paths for trains between London and the North East.
• Journey times will come down to generally below three hours.
• There is a lot of excellent walking in the area.
• The North-East doesn’t just host top-class football and athletics.
• A trip could be combined with a day-trip to Edinburgh, Glasgow or the Scottish Borders.
• I have met Americans, who’ve started their holiday in Europe, in Edinburgh and worked their way down via York and London to Paris by train, and then flown back non-stop to the United States.

As I’ve spent a couple of enjoyable weekends in Newcastle and Sunderland, I don’t see why the area can’t attract tourists.

Should The East Coast Main Line Be Renamed?

Consider.

• It is one of the oldest long-distance main lines in the world.
• It links two of the UK’s capitals.
• It is 331 miles long, which is covered in four and a half hours.
• There are some of the world’s best hotels at either end.
• There is good shopping at either end.
• There is no Trump hotel in London or Edinburgh.

Perhaps, it should be called High Speed East Coast?

January 23, 2026 Posted by AnonW | Sport, Transport/Travel | Athletics, Boris Johnson, Cricket, Durham Parkway (Belmont) Station, East Coast Main Line, Edinburgh, Football, Gateshead, Glasgow, Grand Central Trains, High Speed East Coast, HS3/Northern Powerhouse Rail, Leamside Line, Peter Hendy, Seaham, Sunderland, Tourism, Tyne And Wear, Tyne And Wear Metro | 4 Comments