Final station opens on the Northumberland Line

The first trains in more than 60 years are now calling at Bedlington after the station opened to the public on 29 March.

It marked the completion of the Northumberland Line programme – which has revolutionised travel in the area and surpassed all expectations in terms of passenger numbers since it opened in December 2024.

Pop card readers allowing passengers to use the Mayor’s Fares on the line, including a new £2.50 single cap when using the region’s smartcard, Pop Pay As You Go from 1 April.

And such has been the success of the line, proposals are being formulated to extend the scheme further north over the coming years – into Woodhorn and Newbiggin.

To mark the opening of Bedlington Station, the local community joined scores of schoolchildren and local dignitaries for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, accompanied by a local brass band.

Around 18 miles of track have been renewed as part of the programme. The signalling system has been upgraded and 24 level crossings have been modified to improve safety.

Now the Line is complete, services now call at Newcastle, Manors and at new stations in Northumberland Park, Seaton Delaval, Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Ashington – with a journey along the entire route taking around 35 minutes.

Train operator Northern runs two daytime services an hour on the Line from Monday to Saturday and one train per hour in the evenings and on Sundays.