Minister confirms six stations planned for new Northumberland Line

Chris Heaton-Harris the Minister of State for Transport, was in Blyth on April 22 to meet Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy.

The visit was to discuss the progress being made on the Northumberland Line rail project, which will re-instate passenger services to Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth and Seaton Delaval for the first time since 1964.

The Government has committed £34million to take the project forward and planning applications are in the process of being submitted for the six stations which include two in Blyth and also at Northumberland Park in North Tyneside.

Chris Heaton-Harris MP said: “It was fantastic to speak to Ian about how important this project is to residents in south-east Northumberland who have heard decades of talk about passenger services coming back but seen very little action.

“Our plan is to deliver this project on time and on budget with a station at all six of the locations proposed including at Bebside.”

He added reports suggesting otherwise were ‘scaremongering’.

Ian Levy MP added: “Restoring passenger rail services to Bebside, Newsham and Seaton Delaval is one of the reasons that I got involved in politics as I had grown tired of hearing about it but nothing happening.

“The visit from Chris was an ideal opportunity to show him the positive impact the project will have not only in terms of improving transport links but also boosting economically the areas surrounding the stations.

“Working with the Government, the Conservative administration at County Hall is the driving force behind the project. Having trains running again in 2024 will be transformational for Blyth Valley.”