Excitement and frustration as the Northumberland line opens

Businesses in towns along a new rail line hope passenger services will attract “new customers”, but others are frustrated by delays in opening four stations.

The Northumberland line, which connects Newcastle to Ashington, will start operating on December 15 but only two new stations are completed.

Emma Fullwood has opened a new nursery opposite Ashington station and hopes to “attract parents using the train to work”.

But Bedlington West councilor Malcolm Robinson said delays at his town’s station meant people would “find themselves stuck at barriers waving people on to the train, with no train to board”.

It was hoped that the line would open with six new stations, but work continues at Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Northumberland Park.

Ms Clifford said the decision to open a new nursery in Ashington was partly due to its location opposite the station.

“I knew it would be helpful for working parents in Newcastle,” she said.

“The kids watched the trains go by during the tests, it was so exciting, they love it.”

Jo Fagan runs The Blake Arms at Seaton Delaval, which has also seen its station completed, and hopes it will “attract new customers”.

“We are obviously delighted that it has opened, given that it is right next to the station after quite a bit of disruption during the works,” she said.

Paul Rowland, from Blyth, plans to use the train “several times a week to get around” once Newsham station opens.

The IT engineer said: “I would like to reduce my use of the car, but it will also be useful for nights out in Newcastle.”

But Robinson believes Bedlington, whose station is due to open next year, has been “ignored”.

“The gates at Bedlington station are going to be closed for several hours a day in total, this will split the town in two but with no trains for anyone.”

Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson said the project had been “a huge undertaking with the wettest winter in 200 years, technical challenges and unmapped mining works”.

“We are working as quickly as possible and these stations will be open within a few months,” he added.