Yesterday, the 8th June 2024, UK Railtours operated the ‘Blyth and Tyne Mini Tour’ from Newcastle to Bedlington Sidings and return; this gave an excellent opportunity to ride along the Hepscott Line for the first time and take some footage of this route.
Sitting in the facing direction from Bedlington gave the clearest view of the line, and starting at Bedlington Station, the video below shows most of the route (the exception being the Morpeth North Curve with no planned charters over it as far as is known), but it does show the junction away from the Morpeth – Bedlington line, and the clear opportunity this route could present for connectivity to, from, and within Northumberland and North Tyneside.
Northumberland Coast Loop: Bedlington to Morpeth via Hepscott
The Case for the N.C.L.
With a journey time of about 11mins between Bedlington and Morpeth, this would suggest that Bedlington to Pegswood could be achieved in approximately 15mins, and from there would operate at similar speeds to existing ECML services (either as limited stop ‘semi-fast’ services calling at specific stations or ‘local’ trains calling at most/all stations).
This would be a huge advantage over connecting via Newcastle, which from Bedlington via Northumberland Line service to Newcastle would take 30/31 mins, approx 10mins allowance for change of train and then approx 16 mins to be passing through Pegswood, a total of 57mins.
Using an example of Northumberland Park to Alnmouth (for Alnwick) by existing public transport shows clearly ‘going south to head north’, and the routes crossing over one another is shown.
A more direct rail route, via Hepscott would not only resolve the issue of going the wrong way during the trip, but could also shorten it by approximately 9 minutes to approximately just 46 minutes rather than the present 55 mins.
Bedlington to Pegswood direct would be approximately 40 minutes faster than going via Newcastle.
This would give the following approximate timings:
To/From Pegswood via Bedlington (local service & semi-fast* (Blyth Bebside & Northumberland Park only):
Bedlington – c.15mins (From Pegswood *estimated*)
*Blyth Bebside – c.18mins (3mins from Bedlington)
Newsham – c.22mins (7mins from Bedlington)
Seaton Delaval – c.27mins (12mins from Bedlington)
*Northumberland Park – c.32mins (17mins from Bedlington)
Newcastle Central – c.45mins (30mins from Bedlington)
–
To/From Alnmouth (for Alnwick) (Semi-fast timings only)
Blyth Bebside – c.32mins
Northumberland Park – c.46mins
Newcastle Central (via Bedlington) – c.59mins
–
To/From Berwick Upon Tweed
Blyth Bebside – c.52mins
Northumberland Park – c.66mins
Newcastle Central (via Bedlington) – c.79mins
The above timings are quite competitive to car journey times when compared on a station to station comparison, and are far faster than many existing public transport options.
As can be seen from above image of public transport connections from Northumberland Park to Alnwick Bus Station, offering a direct rail service between N’land Park and Alnmouth could make journeys both more convenient travel (fewer changes), alongside the reduction of journey times (both in more direct routing, and not having changeover time at Newcastle Central).
Assuming that long distance, semi-fast trains via the Northumberland Coast Loop would go on to form a longer Newcastle to Edinburgh (via Bedlington) diagram, there could still be an advantage from Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park, with shorter overall journey times and avoiding changing from T&W Metro to mainline rail at Central Station; instead using a smaller station, which may be more convenient and easier for those with luggage/young children etc (encumbered travellers) to connect to services.
If you agree with the above, please show your support via the petition: Northumberland Coast Loop Petition.
The Northumberland Coast Loop 