Northumberland Line to be re-opened to passengers

[InOban]

Would Percy be cutting off his nose to spite his face here

In the scenario that no passenger trains were able to run, there would be no visitors to his stately home.

I can't imagine that even 0.1% of the visitors to Alnwick arrive by train.

 

[Starmill]

The planning application for Blyth Bebside station has been approved.

 

[swt_passenger]

The planning application for Blyth Bebside station has been approved.

So that’s 5 of 6 approved, only Newsham still to be concluded if I’ve kept track correctly.

 

[davetheguard]

I can't imagine that even 0.1% of the visitors to Alnwick arrive by train.

I must be one of the 0.1% then; and so's my wife!

But we arrived via the bus from Alnmouth station on the East Coast Main Line - I don't think the new Northumberland Line will help much with access to Alnwick castle.

 

[Starmill]

So that’s 5 of 6 approved, only Newsham still to be concluded if I’ve kept track correctly.

I believe that's the case!

 

[Mikey C]

Michael Portillo on his Great British Coastal Railways programme yesterday visited Bedlington to discuss this project, and rode a freight train to Lynemouth power station

 

[geoffk]

Michael Portillo on his Great British Coastal Railways programme yesterday visited Bedlington to discuss this project, and rode a freight train to Lynemouth power station

No mention of the Duke.

 

[swt_passenger]

Aristocrat branded 'Scrooge McDuke' over demands that could scupper railway plan

The Duke of Northumberland is demanding a yearly rent that could bring a halt to plans to reinstate the Northumberland line

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

Ralph Percy, Duke of Northumberland, one of the richest men in the North East, is said to have demanded £600,000 a year in rent for trains to travel across his estates. Is this just media hype or is it a serious obstacle to reopening?

The Chronicle now have a major correction to the original story, which is no longer online for obvious reasons:

“The articles inaccurately alleged that the Duke of Northumberland was ‘demanding £600,000 of rent’ as a condition of allowing the Northumberland Line rail project and threatening to derail the project if he was not paid. We accept that neither allegation was accurate. We are happy to clarify this and would like to apologise to the Duke of Northumberland.”

Duke of Northumberland – an apology and correction

Duke of Northumberland – an apology and correction

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

So given the type of apology, maybe someone was stirring things…

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The Chronicle now have a major correction on the above story, which is no longer online for obvious reasons:

Duke of Northumberland – an apology and correction

Duke of Northumberland – an apology and correction

www.chroniclelive.co.uk

So given the type of apology, maybe someone was stirring things…

To have referred to him as "Scrooge McDuke" in an incorrectly printed article should have brought charges of defamation against the newspaper owners under the Defamation Act 2013.

Too many newspapers are less than careful in their researches into stories they print and then hide behind their usual cry of "freedom of the press".

 

[Meerkat]

To have referred to him as "Scrooge McDuke" in an incorrectly printed article should have brought charges of defamation against the newspaper owners under the Defamation Act 2013.

Too many newspapers are less than careful in their researches into stories they print and then hide behind their usual cry of "freedom of the press".

My opinion on it would depend on whether they bothered to ask the Duke for a response before printing, and if so whether he replied.

 

[Killingworth]

To have referred to him as "Scrooge McDuke" in an incorrectly printed article should have brought charges of defamation against the newspaper owners under the Defamation Act 2013.

Too many newspapers are less than careful in their researches into stories they print and then hide behind their usual cry of "freedom of the press".

I was astonished to read that article had appeared in the Newcastle Chroicle or Journal. There are clearly legal issues surrounding land ownership but such emotive journalism was unhelpful to all parties. The facts should have been carefully checked before publication.

Sadly some will believe whatever is printed no matter how unlikely it may be and won't believe the retraction either. The Duke himself may not even have been aware there was any problem before that headline appeared.

 

[WAD]

This just in from New Civil Engineer:

It doesn't seem to include the line from Beddlington to Morpeth, seems a trick is being missed.

 

[swt_passenger]

It doesn't seem to include the line from Beddlington to Morpeth, seems a trick is being missed.

Welcome to the forums.

They wouldn’t really need to do anything extra to the track to reach Morpeth from Bedlington, but could such a service be platformed? However, if a reasonable 2 trains per hour is the priority at Ashington there’s no capacity on the “new” route to serve Morpeth as well. Also Newcastle to Morpeth via Bedlington wouldn’t be competitive for time with the direct route via Cramlington, which would still need a service.

I suppose you could theoretically extend the Newcastle to Morpeth stopper to Bedlington though.

But just as an aside, you replied to a post from 2013, it’s possible extension proposals have already been discussed in the thread…

 

[Baxenden Bank]

The full text of the apology:

ChronicleLive previously published two articles headlined ‘Duke of Northumberland denies attempt to ‘profit’ from rail project’ and ‘Scrooge McDuke’ over £600,000-a-year demands that could scupper railway plan' and inaccurately reported upon the public enquiry.

The articles inaccurately alleged that the Duke of Northumberland was ‘demanding £600,000 of rent’ as a condition of allowing the Northumberland Line rail project and threatening to derail the project if he was not paid. We accept that neither allegation was accurate. We are happy to clarify this and would like to apologise to the Duke of Northumberland.

 

[swt_passenger]

Signalling contract awarded to Siemens:

The Northumberland Line’s signalling system will be manufactured and tested by Siemens Mobility in Chippenham, Wiltshire, home to the UK’s only remaining dedicated signalling and control facility. It supports around 900 local manufacturing, research, engineering and support staff and, as well as serving the domestic market, exports around 25% of all equipment produced. The project will be managed and delivered from the company’s 200-strong York office.

Responsible for the design and delivery of all telecoms, lineside infrastructure and power upgrades, Siemens Mobility teams will also install or upgrade 8 level crossings (a mixture of CCTV and Obstacle Detection technologies) as well as new workstations at Tyneside IECC as part of the project.

British-built Siemens Mobility technology brings back Beeching line in Northumberland

Company awarded contract to provide modular-type railway infrastructure Pioneering Chippenham-manufactured signalling system saves time and money to enable line to re-open by 2024 Proven technology increases regular and reliable passenger services through HM Government’s Project SPEED and...

news.siemens.co.uk

 

[androdas]

The planning permission for the final station, Newsham was approved by Northumberland County Council tonight.

 

[swt_passenger]

Here’s the Nothumberland Countil news item:

All Northumberland Line stations now approved​

02 Mar 2022

The final new station for the Northumberland Line rail scheme has been given the go-ahead.

Planners have given the green light for construction of a new station at Newsham in Blyth – meaning all six new stations now granted approval for the project.

The station, on land south of the A1061 South Newsham Road, will include two platforms, pedestrian lifts, road junction improvements and parking for buses, cars, electric vehicles, motorcycles, cycles, and taxis.

There’ll also be a range of lighting and landscaping improvements.

The final planning approval comes ahead of construction work which is due to get underway this summer...

Northumberland County Council - All Northumberland Line stations now approved

The final new station for the Northumberland Line rail scheme has been given the go-ahead.

www.northumberland.gov.uk

 

[Starmill]

In addition to the above piece of recent news about the sixth abd final station being approved, I understand that vegetation clearance work has begun on site. Siemens have also been awarded the contract for signalling installation. The Secretary of State's office are apparently on course to issue the decision on the application under the Transport & Works Act at some point in May.

For a couple of years the scheme has been overwhelmingly likely to go ahead, but now it is about to reach the 'point of no return'. If the order is granted in May it will be 'all systems go'.

I have to say though I don't think that completion of works and entry into service in time for the May 2024 timetable is realistic.

 

[androdas]

Vegetation clearance done at Ashington along the old platforms an the former care home where the car park is going. Understand this needs to be done before before bird nesting season.

 

[Class 170101]

In addition to the above piece of recent news about the sixth abd final station being approved, I understand that vegetation clearance work has begun on site. Siemens have also been awarded the contract for signalling installation. The Secretary of State's office are apparently on course to issue the decision on the application under the Transport & Works Act at some point in May.

Presumably this will be from May 6th onwards, after purdah for the local elections has finished.

 

[Starmill]

Presumably this will be from May 6th onwards, after purdah for the local elections has finished.

Indeed. Although fortunately the purdah doesn't actually affect this particular kind of work, just the publication of anything new.

 

[507020]

Presumably this will be from May 6th onwards, after purdah for the local elections has finished.

It is now after that. Are there any updates? It will be unfortunate if 2022 doesn’t see any new reopening after the success of Okehampton last year.

 

[Bald Rick]

It is now after that. Are there any updates? It will be unfortunate if 2022 doesn’t see any new reopening after the success of Okehampton last year.

why? The Northumberland line is at least two years away.

 

[507020]

why? The Northumberland line is at least two years away.

Why? Okehampton was months early and there is less work in Northumberland. It will be a shame if the DfT doesn’t keep up with promises to grow the network, if it doesn’t gain any route mileage during 2022, having done so in 2021.

 

[swt_passenger]

Why? Okehampton was months early and there is less work in Northumberland. It will be a shame if the DfT doesn’t keep up with promises to grow the network, if it doesn’t gain any route mileage during 2022, having done so in 2021.

There are 6 completely new stations to build?

 

[snowball]

There are 6 completely new stations to build?

And a new road bridge.

 

[swt_passenger]

And a new road bridge.

Yes, there are quite significant road changes in Newsham to do with the level crossing closure, that was the last planning approval completed only in March.

 

[507020]

There are 6 completely new stations to build?

Are there? I was under the impression that several station buildings were still in existence, for example Bedlington, as at Okehampton.

And a new road bridge.

I was referring to the fact that at Okehampton the whole trackbed had to be completely ripped up and rebuilt from scratch to reach the station. The works in Northumberland aren’t negligible.

Yes, there are quite significant road changes in Newsham to do with the level crossing closure, that was the last planning approval completed only in March.

This may the latest news then. Where can I find the planning application?

 

[Bald Rick]

Why? Okehampton was months early and there is less work in Northumberland. It will be a shame if the DfT doesn’t keep up with promises to grow the network, if it doesn’t gain any route mileage during 2022, having done so in 2021.

the Northumberland line is at least 4 times the quantity of work that Okehampton was, and needs many more consents etc. It also needs signalling work.

 

[The exile]

the Northumberland line is at least 4 times the quantity of work that Okehampton was, and needs many more consents etc. It also needs signalling work.

After all, the Okehampton line had been carrying regular (if not Year-round) scheduled passenger trains for years….