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Study says rail link is feasible
IMPROVING rail links into South East Northumberland could attract up to 85,000 more rail passengers every year, a study reveals.
The North East Assembly commissioned the Independent Rail Consultants Group to look at the feasibility of extending the existing Newcastle to Morpeth service through Choppington to Bedlington Station.
And its study has found that the scheme could attract an extra 60,000 to 85,000 rail journeys each year, drastically reducing the number of cars using the region's roads.
Wansbeck councillor Dave Ledger, vice-chairman of the North East Assembly, said: "This provides an excellent opportunity to provide South East Northumberland with a rail service by making good use of the trains and tracks that are already there.
"It will address a lot of issues by linking with job, education and leisure opportunities."
At the moment trains on the link sit in a siding at Morpeth for up to 15 minutes before returning to Newcastle.
The study has looked at the possibility of using this time to create a link with Choppington and Bedlington Station.
The study has found that the proposal is feasible as long as funding can be secured, and if given the go-ahead, trains could be running on the line by 2009.
The existing track and signalling are adequate and the link would extend an existing service, meaning it would not require additional trains.
However, station facilities would need to be upgraded at a cost of 4m and the scheme would need a small revenue subsidy to cover operational costs.
The scheme would support the regeneration objectives for the area and would not prevent the development of further expansion of rail routes north to Ashington and south to Newcastle via Newsham on the Ashington Blyth and Tyne line.
The possibility of extending the service was first suggested by the South East Northumberland Rail Users Group (SENRUG).
Dennis Fancett, chairman of SENRUG, said the scheme was just phase one of a project to fully open South East Northumberland's rail network.
Phase two could see trains stopping in Ashington and a new Woodhorn station, while phase three could see trains at Blyth and Newsham.
"We are campaigning for the full re-opening of the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line, and this is just a step in the right direction," he said.
The study was backed by Nexus, SENNTRi, Wansbeck and Northumberland councils.
SENRUG has also set up an online petition and is asking those who would use these trains or supports the scheme to sign it.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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