For the first time in more than 60 years, passenger trains are running once more along The Northumberland Line.
The first train rolled out of Newcastle Station shortly before 8am on Sunday, December 15th, arriving to cheering crowds in Ashington around 35 minutes later.
Six minutes later it was gone again – carrying the first residents and train enthusiasts towards Newcastle – and revolutionising public transport in the south east of the county.
The opening was the culmination of many years work – with teams working tirelessly in challenging conditions and tackling complex engineering challenges to reach this point.
Over recent months scores of train drivers and conductors carried out intensive training and hundreds of test journeys 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 are 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 available from https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/
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.