Public’s view sought on rail line plans
A series of drop-in events are being held for people to find out more about ambitious plans for the new Northumberland Line.
The passenger service, which would connect the south east of the county with North Tyneside and Newcastle city centre, could be running by late 2022 and mean journeys between Ashington to Newcastle of just over half an hour.
To align with emerging funding opportunities, a phased approach to delivery is proposed. The first phase would create four new stations at Northumberland Park, Newsham, Bedlington and Ashington with an hourly (high peak half hourly). The remaining stations at Seaton Delaval and Blyth Bebside would come on line over the next two years.
A public consultation has now been organised between September 2-18 to raise awareness of the scheme and find out more about what people would like the service to look like.
There will be two half day sessions in each location, while people will also have the opportunity to submit their views online.
To take part in the survey and find out more about the Northumberland Line go HERE
The drop ins will be at:
Sep 2 – Ashington YMCA, North View Ashington, NE63 9XQ – 10am-4pm
Sep 5 – Ashington YMCA, North View Ashington, NE63 9XQ – 3pm-7pm
Sep 3 – East Bedlington Community Centre, 16 & 17 Station Rd, Bedlington, NE22 7JN – 3pm-7pm
Sep 4 – East Bedlington Community Centre, 16 & 17 Station Rd, Bedlington, NE22 7JN – 10am-4pm
Sep 9 – Buffalo Community Centre, 55 Regent Street, Blyth, NE24 1LL 10am-4pm
Sep 10 – Buffalo Community Centre, 55 Regent Street, Blyth, NE24 1LL 3pm-7pm
Sep 11 – Seaton Delaval & Holywell Community Centre, Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0BW – 10am-4pm
Sep 18 – Seaton Delaval & Holywell Community Centre, Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval, NE25 0BW – 3pm-7pm
Sep 12 – St Mark’s Church Hall, Brenkley Ave, Shiremoor, NE27 0PP – 10am-4pm
Sep 16 – St Mark’s Church Hall, Brenkley Ave, Shiremoor, NE27 0PP – 3pm-7pm
Northumberland County Council Leader Peter Jackson said: “The reintroduction of passenger services on this line has been an aspiration of the County Council for many years and fits with key local and regional policy in terms of promoting economic growth, as well as being recognised as one of regional importance in the Government’s Transport for the North proposals.
“While work is progressing well on our outline strategic business case we want to hear what potential users of this new service think of the scheme and also get a firm idea of their priorities and what they’d use the trains for.
“I hope as many people as possible are able to come along or go online to find out more about these exciting plans.”
The plans also have the support of the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
Article copied from Northumberland County Council website.
