Northumberland Line marks first anniversary

RAIL bosses have marked the first anniversary of the Northumberland Line and are expecting the millionth passenger journey to be made in early January.

- DANIEL HALL

Northern says that since the first train in 60 years rolled out of Ashington one year ago yesterday, passengers have made more than 920,000 journeys overall - higher than pre-opening forecasts.

In that year, trains have travelled more than 380,000 miles, manned by 110 drivers and 84 conductors trained to work on the line.

Around 92% of trains are reported to have arrived within three minutes of schedule, while 82% of users are said to be satisfied or very satisfied with their journeys.

Coun Glen Sanderson leader of Northumberland County Council, said that the first year had “exceeded all our expectations”.