Rail agreement signed 'subject to value for money'

An agreement to reopen a regional rail line has been signed by the transport secretary, subject to the assurance that it delivers good value for money.

Further development work on the Leamside Line, which runs from Pelaw in Gateshead to Tursdale in County Durham, is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) initiative.

Regional politicians said the line could provide train links for 100,000 people in the north-east of England, after it closed to passengers in the 1960s.

The document stated the government would ensure resources were available for the Leamside Line reopening "subject to agreement of that business case and assurance that this delivers good value for money".

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met Labour's North East Mayor Kim McGuinness on Thursday to progress the long-awaited proposal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Funding was agreed in 2025 for a restoration of the northern section of the disused route as part of a new Washington loop of the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The document stated the government would work with the North East on the business case for the remainder of the proposed Leamside Line reopening, including considering better connectivity for Sunderland.

As well as allowing for new train services through Ferryhill, Sincliffe, Belmont, West Rainton and Penshaw, the route could also provide an alternative path for freight trains to free up more capacity on the congested East Coast Main Line between York and Newcastle.

The NPR scheme also includes plans to improve rail services from Durham, Darlington and Newcastle.

Alexander said: "We're giving the region the support it needs to unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people."

McGuinness added: "For the first time in decades, the new line will give communities a rail link which will be transformational for local people, in the same way the Northumberland Line has been for South East Northumberland."

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