Progress on the Northumberland is going really well and it will be open for passenger services this year. It was my pleasure to welcome the Minister of State for Rail, Huw Merriman MP to travel on the Northumberland Line route and visit some of the stations. We departed from Newcastle Central Station and had an update form the project manager about the achievements, challenges and developments of each station. The Northumberland Line is the governments flagship rail project as part of their £500m investment in our rail networks and is now nearing completion.
Later this year passengers will be able to get the train from Ashington through to Newcastle directly. It was exciting to journey on a Northern train through Northumberland Park, Seaton Delaval, Newsham, Bebside, Bedlington and Ashington to see the huge progress that has been made.
We also had the opportunity to have a roundtable with stakeholders to hear specifics on the developments, technology updates, construction and timelines. One of the real stand out moments for me during the visit was standing on top of the new road bridge in Newsham and having a freight train pass beneath.
This rail link will have a huge impact to the community and it has been announced that fares will start at £1 - great news.
