Nearly one million journeys projected for Northumberland Line in 2025

Almost one million passenger journeys are expected to be made on the Northumberland Line this year.

The Department for Transport projects 980,000 journeys in 2025 and 1.6 million next year.

Newsham became the latest station to start welcoming passengers (on March 17), joining Ashington and Seaton Delaval, which opened with the line on December 15 last year. More than 135,000 journeys have been made in the first three months.

Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson described the opening as a “great day”, adding: “The opening of Newsham station will no doubt bring a further boost to passenger numbers, and we look forward to even greater passenger figures as more stations open.”

The first train at Newsham was the 0612 to Newcastle, before an official opening ceremony took place later that day.

Three more stations (Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park) remain under construction, with Blyth Bebside the next to open this summer.