The Government has confirmed the reopening date for a railway line that shut to passengers in the 1960s. The lost route is set to return next year, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said.
Preparatory work on bringing back the Northumberland Line between Newcastle and Ashington began in January 2021. It was previously expected that the line would reopen by the end of this year, but Mr Harper said services will return in summer 2024.
The project involves six new stations being built. These will be at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park.
Mr Harper said: “Communities in Northumberland can get ready for regular train services that will better connect people to jobs, education and opportunities while growing our economy. Restoring lost railway connections will drive tourism, boost local business opportunities and encourage investment across our regions, which is why I’m pleased to say that we are on track to reopen this historic line next summer.”
In the 1960s, Dr Richard Beeching published a report called “The Reshaping of British Railways” which led to thousands of miles of railway tracks being ripped up and stations being closed due to growing costs. The railway between Ashington and Newcastle used to run both passenger and freight services until the Beeching cuts. Since then, freight trains have continued to use the line, primarily serving Lynemouth Power Station.
