Author Archives: hogg1905

N.C.L. October Update & Two Routes Along the Northumberland Coast?

On the 6th October, the Northumberland Coast Loop petition came to a close with the support of 742 people, thank you to all who signed it! Following the closure of the petition, I  reached out to Councillor H.G.H. Sanderson, present leader of Northumberland County Council by email. I recieved a postive response that the proposalContinue reading “N.C.L. October Update & Two Routes Along the Northumberland Coast?”

Response to David Smith MP: Scrap A1 Dualling, and spend the £390m on the ECML & NCL instead?

In a recent Northumberland Gazette article, David Smith MP for North Northumberland pressed for dualling the A1 yet again, but there is a clear argument that this is a poor investment for the future on a number of fronts; why not instead put the investment into the proven alternative of the ECML, and possibly also intoContinue reading “Response to David Smith MP: Scrap A1 Dualling, and spend the £390m on the ECML & NCL instead?”

Railtours via Bedlington for Railway200? Realising the Region’s Rich Rail Heritage

This recent article from North East Bylines, a ‘Whistle-stop tour of the Stockton and Darlington‘ shows quite clearly how much of the S&D survives as a passenger carrying route, particularly the section from Shildon in the west to Eaglescliffe and towards Middlesbrough. While the obvious focus of the Stockton and Darlington Railway’s 200th anniversary willContinue reading “Railtours via Bedlington for Railway200? Realising the Region’s Rich Rail Heritage”

742 In Support Of The Northumberland Coast Loop: Is It The Next Step For Rail In Northumberland?

The Northumberland Coast Loop petition is now finished as of this morning, Sunday 6th October 2024 and has gained the support of 742 persons in the last 12 months. With the fantastic support of 742 persons, we would like to call upon Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, as well as other elected leadersContinue reading “742 In Support Of The Northumberland Coast Loop: Is It The Next Step For Rail In Northumberland?”

Plessey Viaduct: One Year Later

On 9th October 2023, a little under a year ago, ITV broke the news that a structural issue had occured to Plessey Viaduct over the River Blyth, with the parapet of the bridge becoming dislodged and resulting in significant disruption to the East Coast Main Line (ECML) for several weeks while repairs were made toContinue reading “Plessey Viaduct: One Year Later”

2025 the Year of the Northumberland Coast Loop?

Next year is Railway200, a celebration of 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington (S&D), widely viewed as the beginning of the ‘modern railway’. However, there could be, as set out in this blog post, a case for Bedlington400+, and Tanfield 300 to tell the important story of more than 200 yearsContinue reading “2025 the Year of the Northumberland Coast Loop?”

Transport Action Network calls for cancellation of the £15bn RIS2 Road Building Programme that includes the A1 in Northumberland.

This recent article in the New Civil Engineer cites a campaign by Transport Action Network for the cancellation of the RIS2 road-building programme, which would include the dualling of the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham. In the document, the revised benefit/cost ratio (BCR) for the A1 scheme comes back at just 0.8, meaning for eachContinue reading “Transport Action Network calls for cancellation of the £15bn RIS2 Road Building Programme that includes the A1 in Northumberland.”

Is there really a huge desire to see the A1 dualled? Why not improve the ECML instead?

A recent Chronicle article sets out an apparent ‘huge desire’ from Northumberland residents to see the A1 dualled, but is there really such a huge call for it?  Dualling the A1 is poorly supported. Going back to 8th March 2012, a petition by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, later MP for Berwick Upon Tweed to ‘DUAL THE A1Continue reading “Is there really a huge desire to see the A1 dualled? Why not improve the ECML instead?”