On 1st September 2026, I emailed a number of local politicians and other local campaign groups with regards to the Northumberland Coast Loop; which would be a new rail route connecting Newcastle Upon Tyne to Edinburgh via North Tyneside and South East Northumberland. This email was circulated as a group to: Mr A. Ford, NEPTUG,Continue reading “Northumberland Coast Loop Update, September 2026”
Category Archives: NEPTUG
Railnatter No. 319: The Tyne and Wear Metro, inc Washington extension and Metro to Morpeth?
On Wednesday 2nd September 2026, episode 319 of the long-running Railnatter series by rail engineer Gareth Dennis aired on YouTube (also available where you get your podcasts). As ever, it was a very interesting episode, covering a brief history of the system from its origins as the Tyneside electrics running on third rail (a liveContinue reading “Railnatter No. 319: The Tyne and Wear Metro, inc Washington extension and Metro to Morpeth?”
Better Buses North East
The North East Public Transport User Group (NEPTUG) is calling for support for the public control of bus services in the North East of England, mirroring the excellent services in London and Manchester. We ask you to SUPPORT this as much as you can! Please visit betterbusesne.org.uk for more info!
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”
Car dependent tourism a risk of ruining Northumberland?
A recent article from The Northern Echo sets our the case for a visit to Craster ‘beating’ Bamburgh, though both are listed as beautiful settings on the Northumberland Coast. However, the reason behind Bamburgh being beaten is perhaps a warning sign of what Northumberland risks; if we depend on car based tourism like the LakeContinue reading “Car dependent tourism a risk of ruining Northumberland?”
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?”
Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG June 2026 Meeting in Morpeth
The Northumberland Branch of North East Public Transport User Group (NEPTUG), formed in March 2026 exists to promote integrated bus and rail transport across Northumberland, as well as promoting active travel (walking, cycling etc) routes too. Membership is FREE to everyone, with online meetings during the Autumn, Winter and early Spring, and our first in-personContinue reading “Northumberland Branch of NEPTUG June 2026 Meeting in 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?”
