Blyth Valley MP, Ian Levy, has welcomed the Government’s decision to commit £34m of funding to rapidly progress plans for the Northumberland Line.  The funding will allow preparatory works to go ahead including land acquisition, detailed design work and early site works with trains anticipated to be running by late 2023.

Ian Levy said “This is brilliant news and is a huge step forward in our ambitions to re-instate passenger rail services to south east Northumberland including three stations in Blyth Valley.  Stations at Bebside, Newsham and Seaton Delaval will provide a direct and quick link into the centre of Newcastle and onto the Metro network, which will give residents so many more options to travel around the region.

This project has huge support from residents, and I am delighted that the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has once again provided backing at the highest level.  The work of the County Council should also be recognised with Councillor Richard Wearmouth overseeing the detailed studies that have been carried out in the last couple of years which has allowed the Government to allocate this funding.”

Grant Shapps MP added: “When I visited Blyth Valley last year, I saw for myself the huge potential this line has for restoring connections to communities who have lost out.  I want to pay tribute to Ian Levy who has campaigned tirelessly in Westminster to make sure this project continues to make progress. 

“His work will of course help communities to be reconnected with jobs and better links to family and friends, so I look forward to seeing the line restored not just for the freight that it carries at the moment, but for passengers too.”