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.”

Proposed Alnwick, Alnmouth Station and Amble ‘AAA Bus meets Train’ service – December 2025

The petition for a dedicated bus connecting the towns of Alnwick and Amble to Alnmouth Railway station currently stands at 826 signatures, can you help it reach 1000? Please click this link to view and sign the petition: https://c.org/B4RwwtHnJc An outline of the proposed route, as well as the service pattern is explained below. TheContinue reading “Proposed Alnwick, Alnmouth Station and Amble ‘AAA Bus meets Train’ service – December 2025”

Northumberland Coast Loop rail and bus campaigns: November 2025 update

As of today, the last day in November 2025, the campaigns have made significant progress so far, which are outlined briefly below. Northumberland Coast Loop Rail Service The current campaign is centred around forming a new Newcastle to Edinburgh InterCity service via Blyth, Northumberland since the petition was launched on the 13th February 2025, toContinue reading “Northumberland Coast Loop rail and bus campaigns: November 2025 update”

Newsham and other stations vs Arriva buses?

It has been good to see the BBC News coverage recently (14.10.25) about lack of direct bus services to the new station at Newsham on the Northumberland Line, after our blog post on 2nd October titled ‘New railway station at Newsham; but no buses to it!‘. The company operating buses, Arriva (now owned by aContinue reading “Newsham and other stations vs Arriva buses?”

CRAG campaign calls for better coastal connectivity via Chathill, and thoughts on wider Northumberland Coast Rail Services

On Thursday 4th September 2025, David Smith, MP for North Northumberland, Deputy Mayor Cllr Martin Gannon, and local County Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson attended a meeting organised by the Chathill Rail Action Group (CRAG) at Chathill Station to discuss the improvement of rail services to and from this underserved station on the North Northumberland Coast. AsContinue reading “CRAG campaign calls for better coastal connectivity via Chathill, and thoughts on wider Northumberland Coast Rail Services”

Super 790 Signatures for Better Buses between Alnwick, Alnmouth Station, and Amble.

The petition for better bus services linking Alnwick, Alnmouth Railway Station, and Amble has now gained 790 signatures. With this petition having launched on 16th February 2025, 161 days ago, it gives an average signature rate of 4.9 signatures per day. A special thanks go to the 13 promoters of the petition who together haveContinue reading “Super 790 Signatures for Better Buses between Alnwick, Alnmouth Station, and Amble.”

Alnwick, Alnmouth, and Amble ‘Bus Meets Train’ Proposal: Service Span and Frequency Improvements

The petition for a better bus service running between the Northumberland Towns of Alnwick, via Alnmouth Railway Station, to Amble is gaining serious momentum, with 700 signatures now reached as of 8.7.25, with that number steadily growing day by day. If you’d like to sign it, please do so here: https://www.change.org/AlnwickAlnmouthAmbleBusMeetsTrainCampaign So what could suchContinue reading “Alnwick, Alnmouth, and Amble ‘Bus Meets Train’ Proposal: Service Span and Frequency Improvements”

Northumberland Line: 350,000 Passengers Reached!

This blog post from Bus and Train User states that the Northumberland Line, opened in December 2024 has just surpassed 350,000 passengers since opening, a huge success for the new line, despite only three of the six stations being open. These strong figures suggest that 500,000 or more could be reached by the first anniversaryContinue reading “Northumberland Line: 350,000 Passengers Reached!”

Scotland Gate to the Scottish Border & Beyond? N.C.L. Update 13.6.25

A quick update on the Northumberland Coast Loop petitions to start with: Newcastle – Bedlington – Edinburgh Rail Service The petition for a rail service on the Newcastle – Bedlington – Edinburgh route has now reached 544 signatures, and continues to grow daily, thank you to all who’ve signed so far and if you haven’tContinue reading “Scotland Gate to the Scottish Border & Beyond? N.C.L. Update 13.6.25”