Northumberland Line timeline from closure to passenger services restarting

On December 15, the first passenger service ran between Newcastle and Ashington since 1964.

Its journey marked the end of a six-decade wait for the Northumberland town to be reconnected to the passenger rail network.

Here, RAIL outlines the key moments between the original withdrawal of services, and their reinstatement.

• July 1964 - Passenger train services are withdrawn from the Ashington-Newcastle line.
• March 2005 - the South East Northumberland Rail User Group begins a campaign to reopen the line.
• June 2009 - the Association of Train Operating Companies puts forward a £34 million plan to reopen the line to passenger services.
• June 2013 - Network Rail is commissioned by Northumberland County Council to report on options for reopening.
• October 2016 - a second study recommends reopening the line, with more than 380,000 people predicted to use it by 2034.
• November/December 2020 - public consultation period.
• January 2021 - £34 million is awarded from the Department for Transport.
• January 2021-January 2022 - planning applications are submitted.
• January 2021 - Network Rail early enabling works start on site. ■ May 2021 - application for Transport and Works Act Order is submitted to the Secretary of State.
• August 2021 - Morgan Sindall is appointed as stations contractor. ■ November 2021 - Transport and Works Act Order Inquiry is held in Blyth.
• December 2021 - Network Rail early enabling works are complete. ■ June 2022 - Secretary of State approves the Northumberland Line Transport and Works Act Order.
• Summer 2022 - construction on stations begins.
• March 2023 - Secretary of State announces the reopening of the line.
• November 2023 - footbridge and road bridge installed at Newsham.
• January 2024 - a phased approach to opening is announced, with stations at Ashington, Newsham and Seaton Delaval opening in summer 2024. ■ March 2024 - integrated fares with Tyne & Wear Metro are announced.
• August 2024 - a new road bridge for the A1061 at Newsham opens.
• August 2024 - Northern commences driver training journeys.
• December 2024 - passenger services resume between Ashington, Seaton Delaval and Newcastle.