Plans to get Northumberland moving with new train stations gets backing of Transport Secretary

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps visited Newsham South Signal Box in Blyth, which could be where a stop could be created alongside others in Bedlington, Ashington town centre and Northumberland Park, helping the towns link up with the Metro service and a direct route into Newcastle city centre.

It is one scheme which is has been identified as having “huge potential” to reopen as a passenger line as part of a £500 million fund set aside to reopen Beeching lines, which were closed during the 1960s.

It is hoped new stations will help bring more jobs and tourists to the area, as well as help people reach roles and education courses across the region.

Mr Shapps said: “There’s a railway line here fit for a station and it will be great for people to be able to use this line and railway as one of the first Beeching reversal lines.

“The North East has got so much to offer and if we can link the transport and communities together with towns and cities, there is no limit to the ambitions of the area, creating jobs, and possibly the reason why we have seen people lend us their support.”

His visit to the Blyth Valley constituency comes in the wake of last month’s general election, which saw the area back a Conservative candidate for the first time in its history.

Ian Levy, who was elected as MP, said: “This has been talked about for years and years, and now we are seeing that it has started.

“Reopening this line will make a massive difference to those who live here and if anyone drives up Cowpen Road in the morning will know how congested it gets and this will take a lot of the stress out of it for people.

“They will be able to take the train into to work or get to university in Newcastle.”