I am delighted to be able to announce that Siemens have successfully re-signalled and entered into service Phase 1 of the Northumberland Line on Saturday 6th April 2024 at 12:45. Over the Easter 2024 holiday period, during a 9 day blockade, Siemens undertook the first of 2 commissioning’s, entering into service 2 of 3 interlocking islands. This is a significant milestone for the overall project and is the key enabler for the introduction of passenger services later in 2024. We have seen some notable collaboration on-site throughout the blockade between CRSA, Morgan Sindall, AMCO, Network Rail and Northumberland County Council undertaking track renewals, highways upgrades, demolition of 2 signal boxes as well as the introduction of Siemens Signalling System. This stage has introduced a new WESTCAD workstation at Tyneside ROC, known as Ashington Workstation, decommissioned 3 mechanical signal boxes and converting Bedlington South signal box to a gate box, as well as replacing the semaphore signalling in the area for new LED Signals. Alongside this, we have upgraded a number of level crossings which will be operational and controlled by the new workstation, including MCB-OD MKII’s, CCTV, MCB and MSL crossings. The next part of the journey will see Siemens renew additional level crossings from Bebside to Benton, entering into service the final interlocking island in early June, bringing the southern part of the route into use. Upon completion of the final stage, the Northumberland Line will be in a position to introduce passenger trains back into service between Ashington and Newcastle. A huge thank-you to every single individual that has been part of the project team, I am so proud of what we have achieved together. There have been many challenges along the way but without the commitment and dedication shown over the last 2 years what we have achieved would not have been possible.