Widespread disappointment as long-awaited Northumberland Line railway opening delayed

There has been widespread disappointment in South East Northumberland following the news that the opening of the long-awaited Northumberland Line railway has been delayed.

Northumberland County Council announced last week that the line between Ashington and Newcastle would no longer be opened this summer as anticipated. Instead, the first passengers won’t be able to climb aboard until December.

The cost of the scheme has also spiralled due to inflation and forced delays. The project is now expected to cost just under £300 million – £130 more than initially anticipated.

The leader of the Labour opposition group on the council, Coun Scott Dickinson, said he was disappointed by the delays, but continued to back the project due to the benefits to the region.

He said: “From our point of view we are disappointed. The project has had a number of issues and has been delayed more than once now.

“The fact it is £130 million over the original estimate is also concerning. It’s rather high even considering inflation.

“Ultimately, we hope it continues to stay on track until December and opens in good time, because there is no doubting the economic and social mobility benefits.”

SENRUG, the group that campaigns for better rail services in South East and East Northumberland, has also expressed disappointment.

Chairman Dennis Fancett has led the campaign to reopen the line since March 2005.

He said: “Whilst we are of course disappointed at the length of delay – hoping it would only have been for a month or so with a late October opening, we take heart from the fact a number of key milestones have been or are being achieved this week.

“This includes the Newsham Road Bridge and Palmersville underpass both opened  in the last few days, and the Blyth-Bebside cycle and footbridge over the A189 Spine Road, due to be dropped in place this weekend.

"We do however query the project management process as it must have been realised long before today that a September opening could not be achieved.

“The key thing now is to focus on the re-opening. The Northumberland Line will have a transformational effect on South East Northumberland creating access to jobs, training and leisure.

"Whilst we’ll be waiting a few more months, I’m very much looking forward to travelling on the first passenger train when it does finally run, and to celebrating the success of our 19 year campaign.”

Officials have blamed the cost increases on a number of factors, including additional ground remediation works, cost increases on procuring goods and services due to inflation, and a significant rise in steel prices after a shortage due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Conservative leader of the county council, Coun Glen Sanderson, refused to speak negatively of the latest delay.

He said: “Last December I said I thought the line would open in the late autumn or in the winter – so as far as I can see it’s not late. In terms of the cost, the county council have had nothing to do with the running of the scheme.

“I have nothing negative to say at all. This is of of our control.

“What I will say is the line has been closed for more than 60 years and people have been talking about it all that time – and we have got it done. This is going to be something that is there for hundreds of years and provide transport for hundreds of thousands of people.

“It was always going to be a gigantic scheme to take on. Nobody had any idea about the issues we would face, above all the weahter last year which brought so many problems – that’s really what is responsible.

“You can only blame God for the weather, so I’m not blaming anyone.”

The stations at Ashington, Newsham and Seaton Delaval were due to open this year, while those at Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park were already delayed into 2025.

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