The Northumberland Line will launch its first passenger services from Sunday, December 15th 2024.
Teams have been working tirelessly in challenging conditions and tackling complex engineering challenges so that for the first time in more than 60 years, the public can start using the line again before Christmas.
Scores of train drivers and conductors have carried out intensive training and hundreds of test journeys have been carried out along the 18-mile stretch of new and upgraded line connecting south east Northumberland to Newcastle city centre – to ensure services are safe, regular and reliable from day-one.
To meet the commitment to run trains this year, Ashington and Seaton Delaval Stations will open initially. Newsham Station will open early in the New Year, with the remaining three stations at Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park scheduled to open next year.
Tickets are expected to go on sale the week before launch at https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/
Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “Speaking on behalf of the partnership, we’re absolutely delighted to be in a position where we can start the service this year.
"The Northumberland Line is a truly groundbreaking project of national importance that has been talked about almost since the line was closed for passengers over 60 years ago.
"Despite the enormity of the job we have been determined to re-open the line for passengers - and that is what we have done.
“It has been a hugely difficult project to transform the line, bridges, car parks and infrastructure into what we see today with countless and very significant engineering challenges.
“But it’s entirely down to the hard work and dedication of all the people and organisations working on this hugely ambitious and complex scheme that we’re now just days away from opening.
“I’m extremely grateful for the patience of local residents and to all the partners for getting the line open.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “Our region has major ambitions for transport and I want to make the North East the greenest and best-connected network in the UK to help local people access opportunities. I’m pleased that the Northumberland Line is set to open to passengers this December, and look forward to seeing it up and running and travelling on it very soon.
“Good rail links benefit the entire region. The Northumberland Line will greatly enhance connectivity for local people which is very welcome news. The new line will offer affordable integrated tickets through the region’s POP card which means that passengers can enjoy seamless integration with the Tyne and Wear Metro, and also our £1 fare for young people aged 21 and under on public transport.”
Jason Wade, regional director for Northern, said: “With the opening date in sight, we are now in the final stages of preparing to bring passenger services back to south east Northumberland for the first time in 60 years.
“We are confident our colleagues will be ready for this historic moment so they can provide local communities with a safe, reliable and affordable service.” Jason Hamilton, route director for Network Rail’s North and East route said: “We’re excited to be so close to launching passenger services on the Northumberland Line after more than 60 years. Our teams have worked hard, and we’re now ready to deliver a reliable service that will transform travel for local communities.
“Working in partnership with key stakeholders, this new link will be a huge boost for the area. We can’t wait to see the first passengers board this new chapter in Northumberland’s rail history.”
Dennis Fancett, Chair of South East Northumberland Rail Users Group (SENRUG), which has been campaigning for many years for return of the line, said: "We are absolutely delighted to finally hear the date for commencement of service from Ashington & Seaton Delaval.
“There has been intense speculation and excitement about this over the last few weeks. People living in these communities will now be able to plan their Christmas and New Year trips by train, not just to Newcastle and MetroCentre but also to locations further afield such as York or London, by booking through tickets and changing at Newcastle. We thank everyone in the stakeholder organisations' project teams for getting this first phase of the opening across the line, and look forward to the remaining stations coming on stream during 2025."
The £298.5m Northumberland Line project involves a number of key partners including Northumberland County Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Northern Trains.
The Northumberland Line will deliver six new accessible stations, a half hourly service and 35 minute end to end journey time – benefiting not just those who live along or near the line – but bringing a huge regional boost in terms of travel and access to jobs, housing and education.
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