Northumberland Line to be re-opened to passengers

[59CosG95]

This just in from New Civil Engineer:

Northumberland freight line to be converted for commuter service

Aecom and SLC Rail have secured £10M in funding to develop detailed designs to convert the freight-only Northumberland Line into a railway fit for commuters.
Northumberland County Council is backing the scheme, making it the biggest third-party rail project in the UK directly developed by a local authority.
The proposal is estimated to deliver economic benefits between £360M and £470M. It includes six new stations at Northumberland Park, Newsham, Bedlington & Ashington, Seaton Delaval and Blyth Bebside.
The project promoters also claim it will help tackle congestion and improve air quality by shifting journeys from road to rail.
Aecom regional director of transportation Simon Middleton said: “This new scheme is central to the commitment Aecom is making to invest and develop the right infrastructure while meeting the needs of local communities.
“With better rail connections, the redevelopment of the Northumberland Line will no doubt boost the region’s economy and create a number of opportunities for local residents who travel along this route.”

He added: “Having successfully delivered the first phase with Northumberland County Council and SLC Rail, this new trailblazing approach to delivering key strategic infrastructure rapidly and to budget via the Government’s Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) has the potential to help regenerate other major cities across the UK and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
SLC Rail managing director Ian Walters added: “This is an extremely exciting project to be involved in, which will help regenerate a lost line and make a positive impact to the local region. If we can maintain the momentum and passion amongst the partner organisations working on this scheme, it could well be a game changer for rail in the UK and show that private and public sectors can work together successfully to deliver major third-party rail projects.”
Aecom and SLC Rail have worked on the scheme with the council since 2018. Various operations, delivery methods and funding alternatives have been explored to establish the best approach for this vital project.
Project partners, Nexus and Network Rail, have supported the work to date and will continue to be involved as designs are developed and taken forward into the next stage of delivery.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Easy win IMHO if this did happen. North East deprived area. Track existing so must be much cheaper and much less disruptive bringing the standard up to passenger use. Really hope it happens

 

[Roast Veg]

What does having Nexus as a "project partner" mean? It would presumably be far easier to have Northern operate this service.

 

[59CosG95]

What does having Nexus as a "project partner" mean? It would presumably be far easier to have Northern operate this service.

At the southern end of the route, the Northumberland Line runs parallel to the Tyne & Wear Metro (i.e. Nexus), at both Palmersville & Northumberland Park. Depending upon the scope of the upgrade, works would have to be done to both stations; an example would be redoubling the line throughout. Both the aforementioned metro stations would need significant rebuilding in that case.

 

[Ianno87]

What does having Nexus as a "project partner" mean? It would presumably be far easier to have Northern operate this service.

Possibly stumping up part of the £10m cost of the study?

 

[John Webb]

What does having Nexus as a "project partner" mean? It would presumably be far easier to have Northern operate this service.

Are they considering running the line as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro system? With the parallel running as far as Northumberland Park before the line turns north it should be possible.
I'm gently amused by the 'six new stations' - they'll have to be as all the previous stations at the same locations were closed in November 1964 for passenger use and were subsequently demolished some while after. See the Disused Stations website for details.

 

[Chris NS]

I think this line is basically a foregone conclusion now. It's as cheap easy as new lines can possibly be, delivers reasonable benefits, is very politically popular and - crucially - doesn't seem to cause a capacity crunch on the station it feeds into. I suspect similar schemes feeding into Leeds or Manchester won't have nearly such an easy ride.

But short of an unexpected disastrous setback at this planning stage, it's basically going ahead,

 

[edwin_m]

Are they considering running the line as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro system? With the parallel running as far as Northumberland Park before the line turns north it should be possible.
I'm gently amused by the 'six new stations' - they'll have to be as all the previous stations at the same locations were closed in November 1964 for passenger use and were subsequently demolished some while after. See the Disused Stations website for details.

I believe the preference is for a heavy rail service using the ECML to Benton Junction, as Metro is considered too slow for this distance. There was talk of a Metro interchange at Palmersville although I'm not sure if that's definite.

Some of the stations are in different places from the old ones, most of which have vanished in any case.

 

[Anvil1984]

I believe the preference is for a heavy rail service using the ECML to Benton Junction, as Metro is considered too slow for this distance. There was talk of a Metro interchange at Palmersville although I'm not sure if that's definite.

Some of the stations are in different places from the old ones, most of which have vanished in any case.

Metro interchange would be built at Northumberland Park and not Palmersville for this one

 

[swt_passenger]

Possibly stumping up part of the £10m cost of the study?

I suggest this really is “detailed design” as reported in NCE, as opposed to another “study”. The planning application has been in progress for a while now, unfortunately all the discussions about it we had earlier this year are spread around quite a few threads.

 

[Starmill]

I suggest this really is “detailed design” as reported in NCE, as opposed to another “study”. The planning application has been in progress for a while now, unfortunately all the discussions about it wevhad earlier this year are spread around quite a few threads.

It is Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) 'Decision to Design' - no question. The Decision clears the way for preparation of the Full Business Case, upon which the final 'Decision to Deliver' will rest. I think that the project is likely to pass that in due course.

 

[swt_passenger]

At the southern end of the route, the Northumberland Line runs parallel to the Tyne & Wear Metro (i.e. Nexus), at both Palmersville & Northumberland Park. Depending upon the scope of the upgrade, works would have to be done to both stations; an example would be redoubling the line throughout. Both the aforementioned metro stations would need significant rebuilding in that case.

Are they considering running the line as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro system? With the parallel running as far as Northumberland Park before the line turns north it should be possible.
I'm gently amused by the 'six new stations' - they'll have to be as all the previous stations at the same locations were closed in November 1964 for passenger use and were subsequently demolished some while after. See the Disused Stations website for details.

From a post I made back in January, it’s four stations with two as later options. Palmersville has never been proposed for a platform.

“There’s a good summary on Northumberland Council’s website, one section proposes including stations in two phases (although ambitious dates?):

November 2019 - Submission of Final Bid for Transforming Cities Fund
November 2019 - Completion of Outline Business Case
2022/23 - Completion of Phase 1 including stations at Ashington, Bedlington, South Newsham and Northumberland Park
2024 - Completion of Phase 2 including stations at Bebside and Seaton Delaval“

from here: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Highways/Transport-policy/northumberland-line.aspx

 

[thenorthern]

From a post I made back in January, it’s four stations with two as later options. Palmersville has never been proposed for a platform.

“There’s a good summary on Northumberland Council’s website, one section proposes including stations in two phases (although ambitious dates?):

November 2019 - Submission of Final Bid for Transforming Cities Fund
November 2019 - Completion of Outline Business Case
2022/23 - Completion of Phase 1 including stations at Ashington, Bedlington, South Newsham and Northumberland Park
2024 - Completion of Phase 2 including stations at Bebside and Seaton Delaval“

from here: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Highways/Transport-policy/northumberland-line.aspx

2024 a convenient year when there is a general election and it passes through Blythe Valley a seat the Conservatives gained for the first time since 1931. Also the line passes through Wansbeck a seat the Conservatives are within touching distance of gaining since for the first time since 1945.

 

[Chester1]

I think this line is basically a foregone conclusion now. It's as cheap easy as new lines can possibly be, delivers reasonable benefits, is very politically popular and - crucially - doesn't seem to cause a capacity crunch on the station it feeds into. I suspect similar schemes feeding into Leeds or Manchester won't have nearly such an easy ride.

But short of an unexpected disastrous setback at this planning stage, it's basically going ahead,

2024 a convenient year when there is a general election and it passes through Blythe Valley a seat the Conservatives gained for the first time since 1931. Also the line passes through Wansbeck a seat the Conservatives are within touching distance of gaining since for the first time since 1945.

There will be huge political pressure to get it open prior to 2024 general election!

 

[thenorthern]

There will be huge political pressure to get it open prior to 2024 general election!

I doubt it will be opened by the time of the next election however if construction work to reopen the line is taking place at the time of the next election it should be sufficient to swing voters. Simply pledging to reopen the line though will not be sufficient.

Times have changed from 15/20 years ago as back then if a politician running for election said that they wanted to see a line reopened or improvements made to rail services voters actually thought it would happen if said politician was elected. Now voters have heard it all before and don't believe it unless work is actually started.

Given that the Conservatives now have quite a few seats in North East England including in areas that even in 2017 they wouldn't even have dreamed of winning I don't think the Northumberland line will be the only one that reopens.

 

[DarloRich]

point of order: The report does not say Northumberland Line to be re-opened to passengers. It says £10m has been secured for detailed design. That is NOT a commitment to build the line. Yet.

 

[swt_passenger]

point of order: The report does not say Northumberland Line to be re-opened to passengers. It says £10m has been secured for detailed design. That is NOT a commitment to build the line. Yet.

Agree, but I also think it might be a good idea to consolidate discussion in this one thread now, because so far this year it’s been discussed within quite a few more ‘general’ topics, eg those listing every fantasy reopening across the land. Whereas there’s far more likelihood this is actually going to happen...

 

[DarloRich]

Agree, but I also think it might be a good idea to consolidate discussion in this one thread now, because so far this year it’s been discussed within quite a few more ‘general’ topics, eg those listing every fantasy reopening across the land. Whereas there’s far more likelihood this is actually going to happen...

agreed - i expect and hope for personal reasons this one happens asap!

 

[MotCO]

I believe the preference is for a heavy rail service using the ECML to Benton Junction, as Metro is considered too slow for this distance. There was talk of a Metro interchange at Palmersville although I'm not sure if that's definite.

Are the new Metro trains on order able to attain the higher speeds you refer to?

 

[Ianno87]

Are the new Metro trains on order able to attain the higher speeds you refer to?

I suspect the point being made is that the Metro journey via South Gosforth would be slower (with stops) compared to a heavy rail service via the ECML directly.

 

[gordonthemoron]

If the connections were timed well, would there be a shift of Metro passengers from the coast changing to Northumberland line trains at Northumberland Park in order to reach Central Station/Manors quicker?

 

[MotCO]

I suspect the point being made is that the Metro journey via South Gosforth would be slower (with stops) compared to a heavy rail service via the ECML directly.

I'm confused. Are we talking of two different routeings, or the same route with either heavy or light rail? If the latter, does it make much difference in terms of speed if either light or heavy rail is used since both woud have the same stoppping pattern?

 

[Meole]

2 different routes

 

[Ianno87]

If the connections were timed well, would there be a shift of Metro passengers from the coast changing to Northumberland line trains at Northumberland Park in order to reach Central Station/Manors quicker?

I suspect you'd have to work in close proximity to Manors or Central to be advantageous (i.e. not if you're bound for Jesmond/Haymarket/Monument), plus it would depend on fares, i.e. not many would pay more to have one faster connection per hour and would probably just sit on the Metro the whole way.

 

[adamedwards]

The other plus of running on the East Coast Main Line is the trains can then run through Newcastle and out to say Metro Centre, so linking up people to jobs in the big shopping centre. I suspect the Metro interchange will work for some depending on job location e.g. Newcaslte Uni, and being able to get a seat if you interchange further out.

 

[IanXC]

I'm confused. Are we talking of two different routeings, or the same route with either heavy or light rail? If the latter, does it make much difference in terms of speed if either light or heavy rail is used since both woud have the same stoppping pattern?

2 different routes

The route is Ashington to Northumberland Park, and then, if Heavy Rail to Benton Junction, Manors and Newcastle Central, or if Metro, join that network, probably calling all stations to Newcastle Central low level, via South Gosforth.

 

[swt_passenger]

The route is Ashington to Northumberland Park, and then, if Heavy Rail to Benton Junction, Manors and Newcastle Central, or if Metro, join that network, probably calling all stations to Newcastle Central low level, via South Gosforth.

This is a decision already made surely? It’s known to be a heavy rail DMU service via the ECML, hence earlier posts wondering what possible involvement Nexus could have?

 

[Anvil1984]

Why are we talking about this being a Metro extension its well known that it will be via ECML and attributed as Heavy Rail. Details of the route and works required (with no alterations to the track at Palmersville and Northumberland Park except some crossing changes) are available from page 20 on this document https://idoxpublicaccess.northtynes...914/pdf/19_00879_SCREIA-SUBMISSION-630045.pdf

 

[Mollman]

Why are we talking about this being a Metro extension its well known that it will be via ECML and attributed as Heavy Rail. Details of the route and works required (with no alterations to the track at Palmersville and Northumberland Park except some crossing changes) are available from page 20 on this document https://idoxpublicaccess.northtynes...914/pdf/19_00879_SCREIA-SUBMISSION-630045.pdf

Because Nexus are partly funding it and in the past they have talked about reopening the route as part of the T&W Metro network. I think someone just wanted to clarify that it was a heavy rail provision.

 

[Glenn1969]

As Rich said this money is purely to fund the next phase of design work not a guarantee of the line opening. As for politics I happen to think most of these seats are borrowed because people were voting for who would deliver Brexit at the Ballot Box in December plus in 2024 the Tories will pay a heavy price for their perceived mishandling of the pandemic