Northumberland Line to be re-opened to passengers

[Starmill]

That's not how I read it, and being very local, I don't think there was any ambiguity in what day trains started. But hey, it's wildly off topic, so probably leave it there.

I don't think anyone would think a press launch is either secretive or unusual though would they? However, running trains either side of it unadvertised certainly is to both.

 

[androdas]

I have only just come accross this but it seems back in July there was an application to vary the planning permission for Newsham station to allow it to be opened before all the works are finished. Qoute from the covering letter to the application:

It was only allowed by the council on 18th September and doesnt give any dates for the opening but it does seem the station will be opening with just the east carpark and even that will not be fully completed.

Quote from the planning docs:

Reasons for the proposed phased opening
It is not possible to complete all construction activities until Spring 2025. However, central Government
requires that passenger rail services commence at the earliest opportunity. Whilst most of the eastern car
park will be complete in time for passenger services, the western car park will not be available, and neither
will some of the permanent drainage. Therefore, this application seeks to consent what will be provided upon
commencement of passenger services and how the site will be managed thereafter prior to concluding
construction activities.

Details of proposed opening
It is proposed that on the day of opening, the full extent of the eastern car park will be operational, with the
exception of a row of 8 bays on the eastern flank of the car park. Temporary footpaths, pedestrian crossing
arrangements and traffic management measures are proposed and indicated on the submitted plans

Link to the full application on planning portal

https://publicaccess.northumberland...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SGTR5NQSK9C00

 

[nerdowell]

Its a shame the freight having to backtrack to Bedlington when the West Sleekburn junction has a connection to the North, hope in the future Butterwell is sorted and a northern connection added onto the mainline so they can just shoot straight up (and allow the B&T to have a diversion access point with no dancing around Morpeth) Ignore that i forgot about the branch lol

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

User "West Blyth Shed" has posted on youtube a cab view of the line from Benton Junction and into the new bay at Ashington showing all the signalling and infrastructure improvements. I would say it was taken late summer this year as the Newsham level crossing is gone but the platforms at Bedlington hadn't been started yet. You can see progress at all the Stations and how much the line has changed if you are familiar with the old Blyth and Tyne.

Great video to see the transformation. Have to say the transit time across Benton Jcn looks time consuming and see its going to be a source of delays for Dn traffic.

 

[nerdowell]

Great video to see the transformation. Have to say the transit time across Benton Jcn looks time consuming and see its going to be a source of delays for Dn traffic.

I was watching Plessy Road, Bebside and Bedlington Level Crossings (all after one another), both massive choke points at peak times for road traffic, even with nothing on the line, have a feeling a few road users are going to be miffed for a couple months after it opens/they get used to it lol
Probably clutching at straws here, on RealTimeTrains, Empty Coaching Stock runs carry on until 23/11/2024 then nothing is planned until Sunday 15th December then running from the 16/12 as Unadvertised Ordinary Passenger runs, with the three unfinished stations as "Service stop unadvertised"...could this be the Press Launch (Sunday) and then regular passanger service from the Monday? Also changes from Short Term Planned to Working To Timetable

 

[PaxmanValenta]

Does anyone know the exact date when the new train station in Ashignton in Northumbria will open? They seem to come up with a date and it always gets put back. Some say November some say not until the new year. Is there a clear date of when it will actually open to train services? There does seem to be a lot of delays in the work.

 

[nerdowell]

RTT showing STP test trains stop on 23/11 with timetabled services starting on Sunday 15th December onward, absolutely bubkiss from Northumberland County Council or Northern regarding it, however. I'd have thought they'd say something yesterday given it was the 60th anniversary of passanger services ending on the line lol

 

[PaxmanValenta]

RTT showing STP test trains stop on 23/11 with timetabled services starting on Sunday 15th December onward, absolutely bubkiss from Northumberland County Council or Northern regarding it, however. I'd have thought they'd say something yesterday given it was the 60th anniversary of passanger services ending on the line lol

Thanks. Any idea what rolling stock they’ll use for passenger services?

 

[I'm here now]

Thanks. Any idea what rolling stock they’ll use for passenger services?

Believe it’s 158s according to previous press events.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

RTT showing STP test trains stop on 23/11 with timetabled services starting on Sunday 15th December onward, absolutely bubkiss from Northumberland County Council or Northern regarding it, however. I'd have thought they'd say something yesterday given it was the 60th anniversary of passanger services ending on the line lol

Is the word "bubkiss" a term used specifically in the Northumberland part of the North East, as I cannot recall seeing it in print previously?

 

[nerdowell]

Is the word "bubkiss" a term used specifically in the Northumberland part of the North East, as I cannot recall seeing it in print previously?

Haha I spelt Bupkis wrong, American slang apparently...


But yeah, they're 158s running on the line, has been the odd 156 testing on it as well but rare

 

[Topological]

Is the word "bubkiss" a term used specifically in the Northumberland part of the North East, as I cannot recall seeing it in print previously?

I am wondering if it is a corruption of Bupkis which appears in the song Drinking in L.A. by Bran Van 3000. It would be highly apt if so.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_in_L.A.

"Drinking in L.A." is a song by Canadian electronica collective Bran Van 3000, released as the band's debut single in 1997 by Audiogram and Capitol. It was the last song to be recorded for the band's debut studio album, Glee (1997). Of the song, James Di Salvio has said "It was almost like one of those movies where an animated blue bird swings by over the real live footage. It's cheesy, but I knew in my heart it was a hit."[1]

Taking from the Wiktionary via Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/words/comments/vmjwec/bupkis_meaning_nothing/

Etymology[edit]​

Borrowed from Yiddish באָבקעס‎ (bobkes), plural of באָבקע‎ (bobke, “goat or sheep dropping”), from באָב‎ (bob, “bean”) +‎ ־קע‎ (-ke) calquing Polish bobek (“oval-shaped turd”), ultimately from Proto-Slavic *bobъ (“bean, fava bean”).

Noun[edit]​

bupkis (uncountable)

1. (US, slang) Absolutely nothing; nothing of value, significance, or substance.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Does anyone know the exact date when the new train station in Ashignton in Northumbria will open? They seem to come up with a date and it always gets put back. Some say November some say not until the new year. Is there a clear date of when it will actually open to train services? There does seem to be a lot of delays in the work.

Pretty sure that nobody does currently

 

[InOban]

Presumably it all has to get signed off by the ORR.

 

[androdas]

New measurment train has been out and about on the Blyth and Tyne this afternoon: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:H16441/2024-11-03/detailed . I think this is the first time an HST (kind of at least!) has been up to Ashington. They were seen between Benton, Bedlington and Morpeth on diversions in the past though.

 

[Killingworth]

Does anyone know the exact date when the new train station in Ashignton in Northumbria will open? They seem to come up with a date and it always gets put back. Some say November some say not until the new year. Is there a clear date of when it will actually open to train services? There does seem to be a lot of delays in the work.

No date seems to have been confirmed to the public.

On Saturday Ashington station looked as ready as it's likely to be before the security fencing is removed for services to start.

Others have commented on its position behind a closed Wilko store with what's left of the old platforms adding to a dismal scene.

Having found the car park down a narrow back lane off Station Road we were impressed with it's size - with the cycle spaces, the disabled bays and the numbers of EV charging points. We were unimpressed with the apparent lack of warm and welcoming passenger shelter space and other facilities on the platform. No doubt users will sit in their warm cars.

I confess I hadn't visited Ashington for over 50 years. It looks very different. Certainly not like the more prosperous south but there was lots of activity around the centre and very many cars in numerous car parks, mostly free. A few pictures.






The area of Wansbeck Square is not living up to the hopes expressed at the time of early consultations; https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/N...ltation-Display-Boards_Wansbeck_Sq_Apr-22.pdf

 

[nerdowell]

No date seems to have been confirmed to the public.

On Saturday Ashington station looked as ready as it's likely to be before the security fencing is removed for services to start.

Others have commented on its position behind a closed Wilko store with what's left of the old platforms adding to a dismal scene.

Having found the car park down a narrow back lane off Station Road we were impressed with it's size - with the cycle spaces, the disabled bays and the numbers of EV charging points. We were unimpressed with the apparent lack of warm and welcoming passenger shelter space and other facilities on the platform. No doubt users will sit in their warm cars.

I confess I hadn't visited Ashington for over 50 years. It looks very different. Certainly not like the more prosperous south but there was lots of activity around the centre and very many cars in numerous car parks, mostly free. A few pictures.

View attachment 168489 View attachment 168490
View attachment 168491 View attachment 168492

View attachment 168493 View attachment 168494

The area of Wansbeck Square is not living up to the hopes expressed at the time of early consultations; https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Economy-and-Regeneration/Ashington IP/Consultation-Display-Boards_Wansbeck_Sq_Apr-22.pdf

Wansbeck Square is going, that's the next stage if the redevelopment for the area, demolition starts very soon iirc, it's somewhere on the Northumberland Line website

 

[Killingworth]

Wansbeck Square is going, that's the next stage if the redevelopment for the area, demolition starts very soon iirc, it's somewhere on the Northumberland Line website

Until It's demolished and rebuilt it's a total turn off for anyone arriving for the first time at that bleak platform by train. I haven't posted any pictures of the approach from the shopping area of Station Road. Best approached by car from the south end of Kenilworh Road.

 

[androdas]

This is the plan of what is replacing it, Artists impression and the train station will be just off the picture to the right (Similar angle to Killingworths second last picture). It is proposed to be a community facility and gateway to the station. Full documents here: https://publicaccess.northumberland...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SJJR2SQSLHF00

 

[nerdowell]

Until It's demolished and rebuilt it's a total turn off for anyone arriving for the first time at that bleak platform by train. I haven't posted any pictures of the approach from the shopping area of Station Road. Best approached by car from the south end of Kenilworh Road.

Which is why it's being demolished. https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/update-on-wansbeck-square-works-in-ashington

Demolition and clearance works have now started at Wansbeck Square, Ashington, next to the new Northumberland Line station site. Funded by UK Government, the North East Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council, the works are the first stage in the redevelopment of Wansbeck Square and form part of the Ashington Regeneration Programme.



The site is proposed to become a new youth and community facility..

What about Bedlington Station, that's extremely deprived the Clayton Arms barely has windows from week to week (lived opposite the line I know what it's like)?

Bebside is majority former industrial wasteland in Kitty Brewster Ward which is one of the most economically and socially disadvantaged communities in Northumberland, similar for Newsham and South Blyth. Delaval is on the edge of the village near to their industrial aspect, nowhere near the Hall which seems to annoy some people who haven't heard of planning a trip or busses.

Northumberland Park is almost under the bridge and hemmed in by a steep embankment so likely to be quite dark and we've got the jewel in the run down crown that is Manors on the line too with no step free access.

Part of the reason for the line is to drive regeneration of these areas. Its going to take time. We're not the pretty "Castles, Coast and Harry Potter" part of Northumberland.

 

[androdas]

Which is why it's being demolished. https://www.northumberlandline.uk/post/update-on-wansbeck-square-works-in-ashington

What about Bedlington Station, that's extremely deprived the Clayton Arms barely has windows from week to week (lived opposite the line I know what it's like), Bebside is majority former industrial wasteland in Kitty Brewster Ward which is one of the most economically and socially disadvantaged communities in Northumberland, similar for Newsham and South Blyth. Delaval is on the edge of the village near to their industrial aspect, nowhere near the Hall which seems to annoy some people who haven't heard of planning a trip or busses. Northumberland Park is almost under the bridge and hemmed in by a steep embankment so likely to be quite dark and we've got the jewel in the run down crown that is Manors on the line too with no step free access.

Part of the reason for the line is to drive regeneration of these areas. Its going to take time. We're not the pretty "Castles, Coast and Harry Potter" part of Northumberland.

I think the primary goal of the Northumberland Line isn't really to bring in visitors / tourism, its an economic link for some quite deprived areas to jobs and opportunities, and as you say a stranger alighting at Bedlington Station will not get far if they wander into the Clayton and ask to see the Menu!

 

[swt_passenger]

&

Delaval is on the edge of the village near to their industrial aspect, nowhere near the Hall which seems to annoy some people who haven't heard of planning a trip or busses.

I don’t believe easy access to Seaton Delaval Hall would have ever figured in their plans, a couple of posters here have mentioned it before, but it’s not as if the railway was ever going to be moved…

This is the plan of what is replacing it, Artists impression and the train station will be just off the picture to the right (Similar angle to Killingworths second last picture). It is proposed to be a community facility and gateway to the station. Full documents here: https://publicaccess.northumberland...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SJJR2SQSLHF00

View attachment 168497

Wasn’t there originally going to be a level route along the old down platform and then a lift up to the open space by the bridge? Is that still Wansbeck Square? Presumably that lift was removed from the station plans some while ago, and the demolition of the area may already have been in the council’s plans at the time the station gained planning approval?

 

[Killingworth]

This is the plan of what is replacing it, Artists impression and the train station will be just off the picture to the right (Similar angle to Killingworths second last picture). It is proposed to be a community facility and gateway to the station. Full documents here: https://publicaccess.northumberland...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SJJR2SQSLHF00

View attachment 168497

I have a great deal of sympathy with local residents who've endured many months of disruption during construction of the station and will now have to endure another 3 or 4 (?) years of demolition and rebuilding. It will be better at the end of that period and the rejuvenated area should attract more people, and cars.

No wonder an objector says;

I have major concerns about the proposed plans for Wansbeck Square. I note that the existing one way road which at the moment comes from the new train station car park goes under the square and exits onto station road past the sales rooms and post office is to be removed and access to station road will no longer be possible. This will create enormous pressure on the surrounding roads Kenilworth Road , Darnley Road and Park Road as all the traffic will have to go down these routes.This will be made even worse when the train station opens.Because you can come down Kenilworth one way from Station Road all this traffic which comes down this route either to go to the Cricket Club, the car park behind the Post Office or gain access to the train station carpark .These vehicles will not be able to use the existing exit back onto Station Road so the only way to get back onto Station Road is to go down Kenilworth Road take a right onto Darnley Road then a right onto Park Road then back onto Station Road.You will get some vehicles going down the narrow back lanes of Ashbourne .These roads are busy at the best of times and don't need any increase in traffic. I don't think this has been thought out as it not only creates a problem for residents and pedestrians down narrow streets as mentioned but it will not encourage people to use the station if they have issues getting out and back from where they came. From this exit at the moment you can easily get onto Station Road then away using the bypass to get to other areas of Ashington, Newbiggin, Pegswood,Morpeth etc. I am fully in favour of the train station and under stand there will be increased traffic however this proposal will have a massive impact on the surrounding area if they go ahead with not allowing another exit from that area. When I brought this up with at the consultation meeting it was explained the reason was that it was an anti social area . I informed them that it was subject to anti social behaviour because the area had been allowed to become run down but it had absolutely nothing to do with the road,I also pointed out that if the area was redeveloped and cared for there would be no anti social behaviour. I cannot understand that my concerns were not taken into consideration and fell on death ears or perhaps I didn't speek to the right people. I hope you will take my concerns onboard and relook at the decision which will create a massive problem for the local residents and area

At least Newsham station is positioned beside modern private housing.

 

[androdas]

&

I don’t believe easy access to Seaton Delaval Hall would have ever figured in their plans, a couple of posters here have mentioned it before, but it’s not as if the railway was ever going to be moved…


Wasn’t there originally going to be a level route along the old down platform and then a lift up to the open space by the bridge? Is that still Wansbeck Square? Presumably that lift was removed from the station plans some while ago, and the demolition of the area may already have been in the council’s plans at the time the station gained planning approval?

The lift was planned when Wilkinsons were still there, they were the final nail in the Wansbeck Square building when they closed. The rest has been disused for some time with the office above last used by the council but have been empty for a long time. I think it has been in their plans to do something with it for a while but it was obviously difficult with wilkinson still there but with them now gone it has made it a lot easier to redesign the whole thing so that a lift isn't needed to get to the square.

As for the objections unfortunately the people of Ashington have had their fingers burnt with projects being started and not finished, mainly due to local politics (Google the Ashington Hole to find out more) so I think people are always sceptical of another white elephant being created in the town. Personally I do think that it would have been better to create improved access to Station Road and finding a way to improve bus connectivity to the station.

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

As mentioned, this isn’t the Northumberland of beautiful coastline, Hadrian’s Wall or the Northumberland National Park, so maybe the name is a bit of a misnomer. It isn’t as scenic as the Tyne Valley or North Northumberland but still has a certain charm!

There has been plenty house building around some of the new stations so it could be a bit of a commuter belt into Newcastle. House prices are still reasonable, you can pick up a new build four bedroomed detached for under £300k and commute into Newcastle in half an hour or so.

Ashington has always been in the shadow of Morpeth as that is where all the money goes, middle class market town and all that. Hopefully, these developments, help Ashington and the wider area.

 

[Snex]

I have a great deal of sympathy with local residents who've endured many months of disruption during construction of the station and will now have to endure another 3 or 4 (?) years of demolition and rebuilding. It will be better at the end of that period and the rejuvenated area should attract more people, and cars.

In fairness, that's to do with the fact that Kenilworth Road is one way from the main street and the rat run (not an official route) going the opposite direction under Wansbeck Square is going. Heading North out of the car park is a bit of an issue though, not sure what the answer to that is though as rat running along the street he's complaining about is a problem.

I'd imagine most people living in the area around Wansbeck Sq will be happy to see it go. It's been a crime haven for years underneath with drug taking etc and above is just grim.

 

[Swanley 59]

I see Ashington has now appeared as a destination in the online National Rail timetable. However, a search fails to yield any services as yet. Nevertheless, I'm still optimistic that I will ride the line for the first time since 1963 before 2024 is out...

 

[Killingworth]

I see Ashington has now appeared as a destination in the online National Rail timetable. However, a search fails to yield any services as yet. Nevertheless, I'm still optimistic that I will ride the line for the first time since 1963 before 2024 is out...

Last year I booked a trip to Northumberland to coincide with the Great North Run and hoped to use a new Metro unit and take a train to Ashington. That hope died early but a week at the end of October seemed promising. No, but the weather last week was brilliant up the fantastic Northumbrian coast.

I won't book another trip until I know both are fully in service. That may help that 2024 target to be met for both.

 

[ainsworth74]

Is the 15 December timetable change still looking likely for the re-opening do we think? Likely enough to want to make arrangements to be there...

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Is the 15 December timetable change still looking likely for the re-opening do we think? Likely enough to want to make arrangements to be there...

Hopefully, there will be some comms’ from the council, Northern and Network Rail soon for local and national media. I’m sure a few dignitaries will have placeholders in their respective diaries.

They’ll want to open it, albeit with only a few stations ready, before the end of the year.