Train operator Northern has announced that more than 500,000 journeys have now been made on the Northumberland Line, in North East England, since it reopened to passenger services in December 2024. The milestone has been reached just eight months after services began, highlighting strong demand for the revitalised route.
The Northumberland Line, which had been used exclusively for freight traffic since the 1960s, was brought back into passenger service through a multi-agency project led by the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Northumberland County Council, and Northern. Since its opening on 15 December 2024, the route has seen growing popularity, particularly during weekends and school holidays.
To meet increasing demand, Northern introduced additional capacity in July, ensuring that all Sunday services now run with four carriages.
“A Huge difference to people in Northumberland”
The current service connects Newcastle and Manors with newly built stations at Seaton Delaval, Newsham, and Ashington. A full journey along the 16-mile line takes around 35 minutes, with peak fares capped at £3 for a single journey and £6 for a return.
Paul Henry, programme manager for the Northumberland Line, said:
“We’re delighted to have hit this significant milestone within nine months of opening. It shows there are thousands of people who are making the most of these services. Transforming an old freight line into a railway which can be used by thousands of passengers on a daily basis hasn’t been easy, but it has made a huge difference to people in Northumberland.”
Additional stations to follow
While the first wave of stations is already in operation, work is continuing on expanding the line’s reach. Construction of Blyth Bebside station is nearing completion, and further stations at Northumberland Park and Bedlington are due to open in 2026.
Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, praised the progress so far:
“This is a fantastic achievement and I’d like to thank every single person who has used this line, whether that’s for work, socialising, education or simply to experience it. These amazing figures reflect how important the line is for many people for so many reasons and we look forward to even greater passenger numbers over the coming months once the remaining stations open.”
Investment in infrastructure and safety
As part of the broader reopening project, more than 16 miles of track have been renewed, a modernised signalling system installed, and 24 level crossings upgraded to meet current safety standards. These infrastructure improvements have enabled the reintroduction of regular, reliable passenger services in the region for the first time in over 50 years.
The current timetable includes two daytime trains per hour from Monday to Saturday, and one train per hour during evenings and on Sundays.
Affordable travel and smart ticketing options
To encourage use, the fare structure remains affordable. Peak single fares between Newcastle and Ashington are capped at GBP 3, while off-peak tickets are priced at GBP 2.60 for a single and GBP 5.20 for a return.
Passengers are required to purchase tickets before boarding. Tickets can be bought via the Northern website or mobile app, and the operator is encouraging customers to make use of Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) cards. These allow seamless transfers between the Northumberland Line and the Tyne and Wear Metro network via a tap-in/tap-out system.
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