Passengers in Northumberland are celebrating a “new dawn for travel” as trains roll back onto the Northumberland Line for the first time in over 60 years.
The historic moment arrived on Sunday, December 15th, when the first train departed Newcastle Station shortly before 8 am. Cheers erupted in Ashington 35 minutes later as the train arrived, carrying excited residents and train enthusiasts alike. This marks a major revolution in public transport for the southeast of the county.
Years of tireless work culminated in this milestone. Teams tackled challenging conditions and complex engineering feats to bring the line back to life.
Safety First: Over recent months, dedicated training has equipped scores of train drivers and conductors. Hundreds of test journeys along the 18-mile stretch ensured smooth, reliable service from day one.
Phased Opening: To meet the year-end target, Ashington and Seaton Delaval stations opened initially. Newsham Station will join them in the New Year, with the remaining three stations (Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, and Northumberland Park) scheduled for 2025.
Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “It has taken the County Council years of planning and significant investment to allow us to get the line up and running as it is today.
“It is an exceptionally proud moment for me and the County Council – it has been a huge project for us but it has been worth it and I thank everyone in our team for getting us here.
“Today shows what can be achieved when people work together to produce something that is brilliant, provides lasting social benefits for many and brings hugely significant economic benefits to the area.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “This is a truly transformational project that will have countless positive benefits for the local area and it’s fantastic to know that £250 million of Government funding helped make this historic moment happen.
“I had the pleasure of meeting some of the people whose lives will change for the better thanks to this line and it once again demonstrates that investment in transport isn’t just about getting from A to B, it’s a tool to unlock opportunity and growth in every corner of the country.”
The North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “Our region is ambitious, and I want the North East to enjoy the greenest and best-connected transport network in the country.
“The opening of the Northumberland Line is great news for passengers in the region and will be truly transformative for those in South East Northumberland in particular.
“The line will increase local connections and link local people to more opportunities for jobs, for education and to each other, so we all benefit from this exciting new infrastructure.
“I am pleased that our integrated fares, including the £1 21 and under fare will help passengers on the Northumberland Line enjoy cheaper travel across the region. This is a big step forward in the right direction.”
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.
It 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.
