Trains are a pretty good way of getting around. They’re speedy, you don’t have to put all your liquids in a little clear bag, and they tend to be more scenic than coaches trundling down motorways. Proper access to a railway is a game-changer, as the Victorians found out centuries ago, and as the people of Northumberland are about to discover first-hand.
Some of the northeast’s most scenic yet remote towns will soon benefit from a brand new train line from Newcastle to Ashington, which is set to open this December. Six stations will be added to the network, including Northumberland Park, Seaton Delaval, Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Ashington. The route will take 35 minutes in total, making it a pretty quick journey all things considered.
The line has only been used for freight trains since the 1960s, so this will be the first time in nearly six decades that residents of these towns will have easy, regular rail access to the city. The lack of trains means that roads are often congested by cars and buses, especially during rush hour, so this project will not only offer a brand new mode of transportation for some, it will also likely aid traffic for others. Two birds, one line of infrastructure.
Developers also expect the improved transport options to ‘support the delivery of significant growth in sectors such as renewable energy and engineering’ and ‘provide a real incentive for potential employers to relocate to and invest.’
Work has been ongoing since August 2022, but we’re in the home stretch now. With only a few months to go, we’re edging ever closer to a world in which Northumberland’s beach towns are fully connected to its biggest city. What a time to be alive.
You can find out more about the project, including information for locals, on Network Rail’s website here.
Train travel with Time Out
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