Plans to reopen Northumberland rail line move forward

A campaign group says it is pleased Northumberland County Council has committed to the next stage in the process for introducing a new passenger train service between Newcastle and Ashington.

South East Northumberland Rail Users Group (SENRUG) has been campaigning for the re-instatement of passenger services on the line, which is a fully maintained freight route, since 2005.

Nevertheless, the Council still has to go through Network Rail’s 8 stage process. Stage 1 was completed in March 2014. The step announced today is stage 2. Only at stage 4 do Network Rail determine the full re-opening costs of the scheme, allowing the Council and other stakeholders to make the final decision.