Construction of stations for Northumberland Line set to begin

Three stations for the new Northumberland Line are set to be constructed following the exchange of contracts for work to start.

Contracts have been exchanged for contruction work to start on Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Seaton Delaval Stations.

Land Referencing Services

LRS are delighted to provide Land Referencing Services to the project, which is described as a "key milestone" to restore passenger services lost in the 1960s.

Half-hourly passenger services are planned to run along the 18-mile (29km) lines.

The rail line, which will see six new stations in total, was granted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) by the government last year.

It is planned that the Northumberland Line will bring passenger trains back into service between Ashington and Newcastle.

Priority

In particular, the line is a priority of Northumberland County Council and is supported by a number of key project partners. These include the Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail, Transport for the North (TfN), Nexus and Northern Trains Limited. In addition, North Tyneside Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council.

Construction is already progressing at Newsham and Ashington, with 13 miles (21km) of new track installed, the council said.

In addition, the fourth and final underpass has been created in a 100-hour operation.

Progress

 Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said progress was being made.

"We have more and more infrastructure taking shape along the line, with track going down and stations going up.

"Along with the benefits to the economy and boosts to our education and tourism sectors, this line will bring a range of green benefits to support our climate change agenda, helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality on key roads by moving people away from car travel and onto public transport."

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said the project would encourage investment and growth in the region and work "continues at pace to restore this historic railway line by next summer."

Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson said:

“We have more and more infrastructure taking shape along the line, with track going down and stations going up.

"Along with the benefits to the economy and boosts to our education and tourism sectors, this line will bring a range of green benefits to support our climate change agenda, helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality on key roads by moving people away from car travel and onto public transport.”