Bosses back plans to reopen rail lines

Jun 16 2009 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

BUSINESS and tourism chiefs are backing demands for a rail line revival in the North East to spark economic benefits.

As revealed in yesterday’s Journal, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is calling for links to Ashington, Blyth and Washington as part of its campaign for 40 unconnected towns across the country to be re-joined.

The organisation claims more than a million extra passengers could be served by the opening of 14 railways and about 40 new stations.

The North East Chamber of Commerce has backed ATOC’s stance, insisting the revived routes in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear would create jobs, new national trade links and cut road congestion.

Andrew Sugden, director of membership and policy, said: “We’ve already backed plans for both of these lines which in both cases offer opportunities for businesses and jobs. The Leamside line (linking Newcastle to Teesside through Washington) in particular has the potential to help reduce road traffic on the strategic A1 corridor.”

Ashington and Washington have both been highlighted as towns which would benefit from a major rail expansion, involving the reopening of passenger lines and the development of new stations.

In its report published yesterday, ATOC said demand for rail services had soared in the last decade.

Any reinstatement of the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne freight line (ABT), which was axed as part of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, would mean regular passenger trains between Ashington and Newcastle.

The full reopening of the track would also provide new passenger stations at Bedlington Station, Bebside and Newsham on the outskirts of Blyth, and Seaton Delaval.

The ATOC reports pinpoints Washington, which could get two new stations under plans to redevelop the Leamside line, which closed in 1992.

The Beeching cuts in the 1960s reduced the railway network by a third, closing 2,000 stations and 5,000 miles of track. But rail travel has boomed in the last decade, and long-closed lines across Britain are starting to reopen.

Dennis Fancett, chairman of the South East Northumberland Rail Users’ Group, which is spearheading the bid to revive the ABT line, said: “I do believe there is a very strong case for restoring passenger trains on the line. The track is in full working order and some of the stations are virtually intact.”

Returning the Leamside line would see stations reopened in Washington North and South, Penshaw, Fence Houses and Gateshead East, with trains carrying up to 2,000 passengers a day.

The ATOC report says a decision on whether any of the 14 lines will reopen would be taken by local and regional government, Network Rail and the Department for Transport. In total they could cost £500m, it claims.

A spokesperson for regional development agency One North East said: “We are supportive of investigating any regional transport links which would benefit the region’s economy and improve accessibility to our major conurbations.

“We are working closely with the Association of North East Councils and other regional and local stakeholders as part of a comprehensive review of transport priorities, to maximise the potential of existing infrastructure.”