Call for new stations process to 'speed up'

NORTH East leaders have urged Network Rail to speed up its usual process to ensure the new stations on the Northumberland Line open as soon as possible. While construction on the three remaining stations is almost complete, the rail network manager's approval process for new stations can take a minimum of twelve weeks.

- By JAMES ROBINSON

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness at Northumberland Park with a new Metro train

Blyth Bebside is due to open this month, but the final two stations at Bedlington and Northumberland Park are unlikely to welcome passengers until next year. This has caused considerable anger in those communities, with trains having been running on the line since last December.

In a joint letter, North East Labour Mayor Kim McGuinness alongside Northumberland MPs Ian Lavery and Emma Foody have called for assurance that Network Rail will carry out the necessary work as quickly as possible.

The letter read: “We write jointly to ask you to speed up the process of putting the new Northumberland Line stations into service. It is our understanding that the Network Rail approvals process adds a minimum of twelve weeks to the commissioning of Northumberland Line stations.

“This means stations that are otherwise fully complete and ready to serve their communities-with trains already passing through-are unable to open for three months. Given the delays our communities have already experienced we don’t think that is acceptable.