JAMES ABBOTT investigates progess on a key Restoring your Railway project
The Ashington branch line in Northumberland is set to be the second passenger reopening in the Restoring your Railway programme, following the successful reopening of the Okehampton branch in Devon last autumn. Planning permission for all six stations in the Northumberland project has been granted. Now awaited is a green light from central Government in the shape of approval of a Transport & Works Act application and the allocation of final funding: this is expected in the next couple of months. The aim is that we will see passenger services restored by the end of next year, almost seven decades after services were withdrawn in 1964.
Earlier features in Modern Railways, in February 2018 and April 2021, outlined the route the new line will take. In summary, the project will see the reopening to passenger trains of the 15 miles of the Blyth & Tyne line between Benton Junction and Ashington, with a half-hourly service from Newcastle-upon- Tyne calling at Manors station on the main line and then at new stations at Northumberland Park (for interchange with the Metro), Seaton Delaval, Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Ashington.
