“The reintroduction of passenger services on the existing freight-only line has been an aspiration of the County Council for many years and fits with key local and regional policy in terms of promoting economic growth across south east Northumberland,” says council leader Mr Peter Jackson. “The feasibility work we commissioned is nearing completion and the emerging strategic outline business case indicates there is a positive benefit."
The council says it aims to submit the outline business case and detailed design proposal by the end of this year with the objective of launching passenger services in 2022.
A journey time of around 35 minutes is envisaged for the 32km trip. The council says the reintroduction of passenger services on the Blyth and Tyne line could generate local economic benefits of up to £70m with more than 800,000 annual return journeys by 2038.
A further £3.5m will now be allocated to develop the project.
Initial estimates by Network Rail indicate the cost of the project will be around £191m.
