Northumberland County Council is bidding to improve the train service from Newcastle upon Tyne to Ashington, by continuing trains beyond Ashington to the line’s original terminus at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

Passenger services to Ashington and Newbiggin were withdrawn in 1964, having been included in the Beeching report, but freight traffic has continued beyond Ashington to Lynemouth power station, although the last section of track into Newbiggin town was lifted after closure, and would have to be rebuilt from scratch.

The reopening to Ashington a year ago has been hailed as a great success because more than 900,000 people have used the restored service, although two intermediate stations at Bedlington and Northumberland Park will not open until the New Year.

The county council’s bid has been lodged with the North East Combined Authority.

County council leader Councillor Glen Sanderson said: ‘The success of the Northumberland Line has been quite remarkable and it’s fair to say has exceeded all our expectations.

‘We always had belief in this hugely ambitious scheme. It hasn’t always been easy but we have delivered and the figures speak for themselves.

‘Trains are busy every day with commuters, families, students and visitors and the fact we’re nearing almost a million passenger journeys already is quite remarkable.

‘And to have Ashington crowned in the World Cup of Stations is worthy recognition of the positive impact the line has made to people’s lives.

‘We have had the real commitment to make this very complex project work – now we need more carriages and I’d like to see us extend the line to Newbiggin.

‘The whole programme is testament to everyone who has worked so hard over the past few years to get us to this point. We know we’re not quite complete yet but there is not long to wait until all the stations are open.’

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