Final station opens on Northumberland Line

4 hours ago

News image — Bedlington station is the last of the stations to open on the Northumberland Line

Northumberland County Council An aerial shot of Bedlington station with houses on either side and the railway line running through the centre. Some construction fencing is in place on one side of the station — Bedlington station is the last of the stations to open on the Northumberland Line

The final station on a reopened railway line is welcoming its first passengers.

The Northumberland Line between Ashington and Newcastle began operating in December 2024, but with only two new stations in operation.

Bedlington is the last of four which have been completed since and its opening on Sunday marks the end of the project.

Conservative leader of Northumberland County Council Glen Sanderson said his "heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made the ambition of the Northumberland Line a reality".

Dennis Fancett is standing at Bedlington Station with two of rail tracks behind him and a signal box to his right. He is a man in his 60s wearing a black jacket — Dennis Fancett campaigned for 20 years to get the Northumberland Line reopened

The delays to the opening of Bedlington were blamed on ageing stonework and a water pipe under the car park and in August an extra £37.9m was provided to ensure the project was completed.

Bedlington residents had reacted angrily to the delays, claiming the town was being treated unfairly.

The station was originally one of the busiest on the line with over 227,000 tickets sold in 1911.

Bedlington itself has an important place in the history of railways as the Bedlington Ironworks produced malleable iron rails used to construct the early network in Britain and across the globe.

John Mann Collection A black and white photograph of Bedlington railway station with a bridge over the line. Two buildings are visible and there are two people standing on the platform. — The station was one of the busiest on the line, with over 227,000 tickets sold in 1911

"For a town that has played such a pivotal role in the history of the railway it is fitting that we celebrate the scheme's completion here," Sanderson said.

Dennis Fancett, chair of Senrug, the rail user group which for 20 years campaigned for the reopening of the Northumberland Line, said: "It should not have taken so long or cost so much but we are absolutely delighted it has been such a success.

"I'm still not sure why Bedlington station was delayed so much but, as someone who lives in the area, its opening at last is good news and we are very much celebrating."

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