North Northumberland MP calls for improvements to East Coast Main Line timetable
The MP for North Northumberland has called for changes to the East Coast Main Line timetable following a consultation with passengers across his constituency.
In a letter to Rail Minister Lord Hendy, Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines and LNER managing director David Horne, David Smith has highlighted four key areas where he believes improvements are needed following the changes made to the timetable in December 2025 – with further issues noted.
Although he acknowledges the revised timetable has delivered some improvement such as later weekday services, Mr Smith says in the letter that his consultation shows there is much more to be done and the four priorities are summarised as follows.
More evening and weekend services – including later return trains to Berwick to allow residents and visitors to attend events in Edinburgh and Newcastle, and support tourism and the local economy.
Improved commuter services and frequency – restoring key peak-time services and addressing gaps in provision, particularly the loss of after-school services used by pupils travelling between Alnmouth, Morpeth and Newcastle.
Better direct connections to London – with more frequent direct services to support business travel and maintain strong links with the capital.
A more joined-up passenger experience – improving co-ordination and pricing between operators and simplifying ticketing and compensation processes.
In a separate statement, Mr Smith said: “While I welcome improvements such as later weekday services, my consultation found that for many passengers in North Northumberland, the timetable just isn’t working. There are clear gaps that need to be addressed.
“People in Berwick should be able to enjoy an evening in Edinburgh and get home afterwards, and schoolchildren in Alnmouth and Morpeth must have safe and reliable journeys to and from school.
“I have raised a number of these issues already and I will continue working with the rail industry, particularly around the school transport concerns, but my consultation found that adjustments are needed to the timetable as a whole.
“That is why I have written to rail chiefs setting out achievable steps to restore confidence and deliver the improvements that residents in North Northumberland need and deserve.”
Mr Smith added that while his consultation focused on the timetable changes, the long-term challenge remains the lack of capacity on the East Coast Main Line.
He said: “I am arguing for major infrastructure upgrades in the north of the county which would increase capacity on the line and unlock better local and regional connections.
“I have also been having conversations about a North Northumberland line to deliver a local service and connect more of our towns and villages to the rail network.
“The Northumberland Line between Newcastle and Ashington has been a great success, with a million passengers travelling on it in its first year. I would love to see something similar further north to help our region flourish.”