Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG Meeting: 1st July 2026

Another great meeting of the Northumberland Branch tonight, with much discussion on buses, rail services (ECML, Northumberland Line, and Tyne Valley Line), and also of cycling integration with rail too. Membership is FREE, with the chance to have a real say in better buses, trains, and more! Why not sign up now? We aim toContinue reading “Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG Meeting: 1st July 2026”

Alnwick to Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair by walking, bus, and rail.

On Saturday 27th June 2026, I took a car-free day out to the excellent Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair at Lambton Park for the second year running. Part 1: Alnwick Bus Station to Alnmouth Railway Station The day started at home, with a short walk to Alnwick Bus Station in glorious sunshine, a few thingsContinue reading “Alnwick to Chester-Le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair by walking, bus, and rail.”

Alnwick, Northumberland: Transport Survey June 2026

Questions for all! What do you want to see from public transport in Northumberland? Which rail and bus routes would you like? Would you like to see buses running earlier and later in the day, possibly even night buses? Have you got any suggestions you’d like to put forward? Please leave a comment below withContinue reading “Alnwick, Northumberland: Transport Survey June 2026”

2026: The time for the ECML to do more for transport to, from, within, and through Northumberland alongside the A1?

In recent news, it has been revealed that in 2025, around eleven million tourists visited Northumberland, a new record, and the A1 has been stated to be a ‘key problem’, but does this overlook the role the ECML, other rail links and buses could be playing to reduce this key problem and enable more sustainableContinue reading “2026: The time for the ECML to do more for transport to, from, within, and through Northumberland alongside the A1?”

Blyth Bebside to Berwick-Upon-Tweed in just 50 MINUTES by rail: c.40 mins faster than going via Newcastle or Morpeth.

The Northumberland Line now complete, with all six stations now open and bustling, it is time to really set the sights on the next steps for the line, and in my view, it should be to make use of the existing connection from Bedlington headed west, not only to Morpeth, as put forward by SENRUG,Continue reading “Blyth Bebside to Berwick-Upon-Tweed in just 50 MINUTES by rail: c.40 mins faster than going via Newcastle or Morpeth.”

Keswick’s ‘Virtual’ Station: A lesson in bus & rail integration for Alnwick and beyond?

A very interesting trial of a ‘virtual railway station’ in Keswick, Cumbria, UK has shown some FANTASTIC results in the past two years that it has run during the summer seasons of 2024 and 2025, and now is being introduced from 27th April 2026 as a year-round service. As part of the newly formed NorthumberlandContinue reading “Keswick’s ‘Virtual’ Station: A lesson in bus & rail integration for Alnwick and beyond?”

Mini Switzerland for Northumberland?

A very interesting video from transport campaigner and rail engineer Gareth Dennis  on the ‘Mini Switzerland’ trial in the Hope Valley, UK. Much of the same lessons can be applied to Northumberland, using existing railway stations and buses, but operating them as a cohesive, intergrated system and not as a bus system that is separateContinue reading “Mini Switzerland for Northumberland?”

Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG: Campaigning together for better bus, rail, and active travel routes and services in Northumberland.

On Wednesday 1st April 2026 at 18:30, the first ordinary meeting of the Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG took place following the founding AGM on 4th March 2026. Please read below for more information about the meetings and what the group intends to do, but if you’d like to get involved, please feel welcome to joinContinue reading “Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG: Campaigning together for better bus, rail, and active travel routes and services in Northumberland.”

Bedlington Station opening: The end of the beginning?

Yesterday evening, Sunday 29th March, I travelled down to Bedlington station to see the final Northumberland Line station for myself, and one close to my heart as a born and bred Bedlingtonian! It is fantastic to see the town I grew up in once again reconnected to national network, but as the title suggests, IContinue reading “Bedlington Station opening: The end of the beginning?”