Northumberland Line reopening: progress updates

[A S Leib]

To make clear it isn't actually in the middle of Blyth?

I think it's right on the western edge of Blyth's urban area, although I'm not familiar with the town. It might be fairer to say that it was in Bebside when it opened but it's at least in Blyth, if not central Blyth, now.

 

[edwin_m]

I think it's right on the western edge of Blyth's urban area, although I'm not familiar with the town. It might be fairer to say that it was in Bebside when it opened but it's at least in Blyth, if not central Blyth, now.

It's just west of the A189 which in turn follows the western edge of the Blyth built-up area, so I don't think most people would describe it as being "in" Blyth. The Ordnance Survey labels the nearest buildings as Bebside but Bing Maps search function thinks Bebside is a mile or so further west. It may also be nodding to the original Blyth station, which was closer to the centre on a branch line.

 

[swt_passenger]

It's just west of the A189 which in turn follows the western edge of the Blyth built-up area, so I don't think most people would describe it as being "in" Blyth. The Ordnance Survey labels the nearest buildings as Bebside but Bing Maps search function thinks Bebside is a mile or so further west. It may also be nodding to the original Blyth station, which was closer to the centre on a branch line.

“Bebside for Blyth” might have been an appropriate way of naming it.

 

[Killingworth]

1948 timetable - it was neither a frequent nor fast passenger service on this line.

Looking back it was a minor miracle that it survived as long as it did.

 

[Snex]

“Bebside for Blyth” might have been an appropriate way of naming it.

I personally don't understand why Bebside has Blyth in the name, at all. Newsham is much more central and has a much more frequent bus service nearby to get to the centre.

 

[omnicity4659]

Got my tickets ready!

Alt text: image of two credit card sized tickets for Ashington to Newcastle/Newcastle to Ashington singles with 16-25 railcard discount for £1.70 each.

 

[A S Leib]

I'm guessing that this is dependent on Northern, RDG or whoever's responsible putting it into their systems, but when will / should Northumberland line fares be on brfares.com?

 

[The exile]

1948 timetable - it was neither a frequent nor fast passenger service on this line.

Looking back it was a minor miracle that it survived as long as it did.

View attachment 169732

Doesn’t look too bad in terms of service provision - at least in comparison to lots of other lines. Trains would have run to cope with specific flows (shift changes etc) - everyone else would have fitted their lives round the trains if they needed them - at that time the alternatives for most would have been bus, bike or walk.

 

[A S Leib]

The Chronicle says January for Newsham.

The opening of one of the first stations due to be part of the Northumberland Line has been delayed until the New Year.


The rail link from Ashington to Newcastle is on track to open to passengers in December. It had been hoped to open initially with stations in Ashington, Seaton Delaval and Newsham, but Newsham has now been delayed until January. Three more stations at Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland will open during 2025.

 

[Phillipimo]

I stumbled across this video filmed on one of the preview services recently. It shows the progress made at each station.

Newsham looks like it could definitely open soon.
Northumberland Park - earthworks look done but platform construction has only just started.
Blyth - Platform construction well under way but still plenty to do.
Bedlington looks like they've only just started site clearance.

 

[nerdowell]

“Bebside for Blyth” might have been an appropriate way of naming it.

The original plan was to have it Bebside for Blyth, the Bus Stops next to Asda are called Bebside Interchange, built with the line reopening in mind but closer to the original Bebside Station site, theres also a weird bit of road next to them that would have served as a taxi rank, bit useless now since the stations on the south side of the Village

 

[swt_passenger]

The original plan was to have it Bebside for Blyth, the Bus Stops next to Asda are called Bebside Interchange, built with the line reopening in mind but closer to the original Bebside Station site, theres also a weird bit of road next to them that would have served as a taxi rank, bit useless now since the stations on the south side of the Village lol

One odd thing I noticed, (after earlier posters mentioned maps and stuff), is that if you search round the local roads on Streetview there are no signs actually showing “Bebside”, neither direction signs at junctions or at the roundabout, and I also couldn’t find the normal sort of roadside “place name” signs. (eg Horton Rd over to the west only mentions Blyth.)
Is it even considered a village?

 

[nerdowell]

One odd thing I noticed, (after earlier posters mentioned maps and stuff), is that if you search round the local roads on Streetview there are no signs actually showing “Bebside”, neither direction signs at junctions or at the roundabout, and I also couldn’t find the normal sort of roadside “place name” signs. (eg Horton Rd over to the west only mentions Blyth.)
Is it even considered a village?

Locally still considered a seperate entity, though it has been greatly reduced, mostly in the 50's when old mining housing was demolished and the residents moved down the road to Cowpen Estate. There was a plan to have 140+ houses and shops built along the north side of Bebside Road, but has been withdrawn (last week i think).

 

[zwk500]

One odd thing I noticed, (after earlier posters mentioned maps and stuff), is that if you search round the local roads on Streetview there are no signs actually showing “Bebside”, neither direction signs at junctions or at the roundabout, and I also couldn’t find the normal sort of roadside “place name” signs. (eg Horton Rd over to the west only mentions Blyth.)
Is it even considered a village?

There's one as you exit the roundabout just before the level crossing: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YXwbWzzkNb6vRtGi9

 

[swt_passenger]

There's one as you exit the roundabout just before the level crossing: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YXwbWzzkNb6vRtGi9

Well spotted, I missed that one.

 

[EveningStar]

How likely is it that some people would drive from places like Alnwick to Ashington rather than using Alnmouth? £6 return and 2 tph seems preferable to £16 and hour-long gaps, even if petrol (and parking?) wipes out most of the cost. I suppose most people driving that far would decide to just drive all the way to Newcastle though.

From up here just off the A697, if not using Alnmouth or Morpeth and want to take rail into Newcastle, would take the Metro either from Callerton Parkway or get Mrs ES to drop me at Northumberland Park on her way to work. Ashington is a bit out of the way if already on the A697/A1.

 

[Snex]

From up here just off the A697, if not using Alnmouth or Morpeth and want to take rail into Newcastle, would take the Metro either from Callerton Parkway or get Mrs ES to drop me at Northumberland Park on her way to work. Ashington is a bit out of the way if already on the A697/A1.

Add to this people would more likely use Bebside than Ashington. Even known it's slightly further distance wise, it's much quicker to get to as it's just off the A189 and is the last point really before the traffic really starts; Moor Farm, Haddricks Mill, Gosforth Park, Coast Road etc, depending which was you go.

Ashington is a bit of a pain to get out heading North as you have to head South and drive around some local streets to get out the car park.

Wouldn't be surprised to see some people off the A189/A1068 corridor use it; ie. Newbiggin, Lynemouth, Amble, Red Row, Widdrington etc.

 

[Killingworth]

Ashington is a bit of a pain to get out heading North as you have to head South and drive around some local streets to get out the car park.

Its not that easy or attractive to get into either, hidden away down a lane behind an increasingly derelict looking collection of buildings that may be redeveloped over the next 5-10 years. So a protracted period next to a building site.

Never mind, by 2034 all should be good.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Add to this people would more likely use Bebside than Ashington. Even known it's slightly further distance wise, it's much quicker to get to as it's just off the A189 and is the last point really before the traffic really starts; Moor Farm, Haddricks Mill, Gosforth Park, Coast Road etc, depending which was you go.

Ashington is a bit of a pain to get out heading North as you have to head South and drive around some local streets to get out the car park.

Wouldn't be surprised to see some people off the A189/A1068 corridor use it; ie. Newbiggin, Lynemouth, Amble, Red Row, Widdrington etc.

I’d also imagine people in Pegswood may start using Ashington due to the much more frequent service than the Chathill Flyer that they currently get.

The traffic in Morpeth in the morning can be a pain, so a quick drive along the A197 in the opposite direction might be an option. Yes, it is an extra 10 mins or so journey time by rail but the ticket is cheaper.

 

[LondonExile]

My other half is likely to be a user of Ashington station. We live in Sunderland, but she works in Ashington and currently drives A19 & A189 to get to work. She's going to try the Northumberland line out when it opens as it'll cut out the Tyne Tunnel tolls as well as saving on fuel.

I think she'll be using it "in reverse" to most people? I'd assume most of the loadings will be from people working in Newcastle, rather than changing there to work in Ashington.

 

[zwk500]

My other half is likely to be a user of Ashington station. We live in Sunderland, but she works in Ashington and currently drives A19 & A189 to get to work. She's going to try the Northumberland line out when it opens as it'll cut out the Tyne Tunnel tolls as well as saving on fuel.

I think she'll be using it "in reverse" to most people? I'd assume most of the loadings will be from people working in Newcastle, rather than changing there to work in Ashington.

It is definitely a contra-peak flow, but interesting to hear that there are wider users of the line. And good to hear it's modal shift from private car to rail as well! I hope the service is reliable and attractive enough for her to continue using it regularly.

 

[Swanley 59]

My other half is likely to be a user of Ashington station. We live in Sunderland, but she works in Ashington and currently drives A19 & A189 to get to work. She's going to try the Northumberland line out when it opens as it'll cut out the Tyne Tunnel tolls as well as saving on fuel.

I think she'll be using it "in reverse" to most people? I'd assume most of the loadings will be from people working in Newcastle, rather than changing there to work in Ashington.

I hope it works out for her.

As someone who commutes from Morpeth - Sunderland, I find the Morpeth/Newcastle legs to be generally very quick and, in the main, reliable. The Newcastle/Sunderland is less reliable, but there's always the fallback of the Metro when the Durham Coast Line is having one of its bad days. I used to drive when I first moved north, but the cost of the Tunnel, parking (£6 a day!) and the horrors of Moor Farm roundabout persuaded me to switch to the train. I'm unlikely to switch back now.

 

[Volvictof]

I hope it works out for her.

As someone who commutes from Morpeth - Sunderland, I find the Morpeth/Newcastle legs to be generally very quick and, in the main, reliable. The Newcastle/Sunderland is less reliable, but there's always the fallback of the Metro when the Durham Coast Line is having one of its bad days. I used to drive when I first moved north, but the cost of the Tunnel, parking (£6 a day!) and the horrors of Moor Farm roundabout persuaded me to switch to the train. I'm unlikely to switch back now.

Morpeth to Sunderland must be over an hour commute by train or car? It makes you think how much of your life is spent travelling too and from work.
in my last job I drI’ve a van and may spend 3 hours driving to my first job, but now I work on the railway I get to work in 15 - 30 mins depending on the time of day.

 

[Swanley 59]

Morpeth to Sunderland must be over an hour commute by train or car? It makes you think how much of your life is spent travelling too and from work.
in my last job I drI’ve a van and may spend 3 hours driving to my first job, but now I work on the railway I get to work in 15 - 30 mins depending on the time of day.

By train, if everything works out, its about 70 minutes from leaving the house to arriving at the office (including the walks at each end). Driving can take anything from 45 - 90 minutes. Most days, I don't mind the commute as it helps keep me fit and it's a chance to catch up on some reading.

When I first started working in Sunderland, more years ago than I care to remember, I used to travel by bus from Ashington and then train to Sunderland. Now that was a chore... I stuck it for 4 years before I moved to within walking distance. It was Mrs Swanley, a native of Sunderland, who was the driving force behing the move to Morpeth.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

I hope it works out for her.

As someone who commutes from Morpeth - Sunderland, I find the Morpeth/Newcastle legs to be generally very quick and, in the main, reliable. The Newcastle/Sunderland is less reliable, but there's always the fallback of the Metro when the Durham Coast Line is having one of its bad days. I used to drive when I first moved north, but the cost of the Tunnel, parking (£6 a day!) and the horrors of Moor Farm roundabout persuaded me to switch to the train. I'm unlikely to switch back now.

Morpeth is a good place to be based and commute from.

The 0713 gets me in York for 0830 which isn’t too bad. It used to sometimes take me over 40 minutes to drive from the coast to Newcastle when battling against the traffic in North Tyneside which, it seems, gets worse each day.

I’d like to see the Northumberland Line make a dent in the traffic in North Tyneside but I won’t hold my breath.

 

[A S Leib]

I’d like to see the Northumberland Line make a dent in the traffic in North Tyneside but I won’t hold my breath.

I've set up a post on reports of a survey into a station in Killingworth as well, which might help.

 

[ainsworth74]

I’d like to see the Northumberland Line make a dent in the traffic in North Tyneside but I won’t hold my breath.

I reckon a lot of it will depend on reliability! The price is very good as is the journey time. £5.60 for a return from Ashington to Newcastle and a journey time just over half an hour? You're goings to struggle to beat that in a car for price and time I bet, particularly in rush hour. The only thing the car has going for it is the convenience factor (i.e. front door to front door) and the "control your own fate" aspect (even if that's not really true). The trains will be 158s as well which are still nice trains to travel on as well. It's potentially a very strong offer I reckon. But only if people feel that they can rely on it. I really hope that Northern are going to thrown the kitchen sink at making sure it runs come what may in the first few months.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

I reckon a lot of it will depend on reliability! The price is very good as is the journey time. £5.60 for a return from Ashington to Newcastle and a journey time just over half an hour? You're goings to struggle to beat that in a car for price and time I bet, particularly in rush hour. The only thing the car has going for it is the convenience factor (i.e. front door to front door) and the "control your own fate" aspect (even if that's not really true). The trains will be 158s as well which are still nice trains to travel on as well. It's potentially a very strong offer I reckon. But only if people feel that they can rely on it. I really hope that Northern are going to thrown the kitchen sink at making sure it runs come what may in the first few months.

I hope they do. It has been plagued with that many rumours, delays and false dawns, so I hope when it does open it is robust enough to win the hearts and minds of the surrounding area. It is very good deal for an area that has been starved of investment for decades and I hope it a success.

I'd imagine the last train to Ashington on a Saturday night will be lively!

 

[kez19]

I seen the new station on the outskirts of Blyth? (Blyth Bebside today), The 5 way traffic system is chaos (was caught in it on Arriva x10 towards Blyth then x8 back), had emergency services going towards Newcastle mounting the pavement as traffic was allowed through towards Blyth at the lights.

Hopefully when this is open it’ll be fine.

Edit from yesterday, station in question I believe it’s Newsham not Blyth apologies!

 

[DavidK]

I notice on LNER website along with the forums booking engine is allowing tickets to be bought from 15 December, but on Northern website it is saying no trains available. I would have thought if they were available on 1 they would be available on them all?