Drone images show Northumberland Line road bridge being …
Northumberland County Council[1] has confirmed its landmark project to bring passenger rail back to South East Northumberland[2] remains on track to open next summer.
It comes as the project hit the latest in a serious of major milestones with the installation of the new road bridge at Newsham in Blyth[3]. The bridge was lowered into place over the weekend, and will carry the A1061 South Newsham Road over the new railway station.
It replaces the existing level crossing, with hopes it will ease traffic congestion at the junction. Funding for the construction of the bridge was approved by the council's cabinet in April.
At the time, council leader Glen Sanderson said the move was "critical" as the road already suffered congestion when the rail barriers come down. It is hoped that the new bridge will ease traffic flow and "help Blyth to continue to grow economically", working alongside the much-anticipated new line.
Construction crews work to install the new road bridge at Newsham, Blyth for the much-anticipated Northumberland Lin (Image: Copyright Unknown)Passenger trains have not travelled on the line since 1964, when the line was closed as part of the now infamous Beeching cuts. The revived stations will be at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland[4] Park before heading on to Newcastle Central Station.
The Government and Northumberland County Council are hopeful the half-hourly service will "reconnect communities" and boost the region's economy by improving access to jobs. Officials say journey times between Ashington and Newcastle will be reduced from 70 minutes to just 35.
Construction crews work to install the new road bridge at Newsham, Blyth for the much-anticipated Northumberland Lin (Image: Copyright Unknown)It is anticipated that services will be running by summer 2024, although an exact date has not yet been revealed. The new opening date was confirmed by the Government in March, and marked a delay from the previous target of December this year.
In August, contractors said track work on the project was "90% done" despite delays including the discovery of an unexploded mortar dating back to the First World War. Work to construct the new stations began in July and is well under way.
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References
- ^ Northumberland County Council (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Northumberland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Blyth (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Northumberland (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Northumberland WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ privacy notice (www.reachplc.com)
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