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?”
Category Archives: Northumberland Coast Loop
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?”
LAST CHANCE!
Today, the 5th October 2024, is the closing date for the Northumberland Coast Loop petition, which will be closed at midnight. It has received fantastic support so far, and thank you to all who’ve signed up! The proposed route would see the Northumberland Line at Bedlington, connected via the Hepscott Line to Pegswood and allowContinue reading “LAST CHANCE!”
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”
Help required!
Our petition is due to finish on 5th October 2024, and presently stands at an amazing 730 signatures, but can YOU help it to reach 1000 before the deadline? Please click here to view the Northumberland Coast Loop petition and add your support! Thanks, RH.
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?”
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?”
UK’s Tallest Christmas Tree at Cragside – A lesson in bus/rail connections?
This article from the Northumberland Gazette discusses the upcoming decoration of a 42m high Giant Redwood being decorated at Cragside this Christmas, probably the largest Christmas tree in the UK. Given that this very popular National Trust site generates many trips year round, but especially for what is likely to be a spectacular in-person ChristmasContinue reading “UK’s Tallest Christmas Tree at Cragside – A lesson in bus/rail connections?”
Spend £1, get up to £2.73 back; why investing into the ECML makes more sense than dualling the A1 in Northumberland.
Another recent article in the Northumberland Gazette raises concerns about dualling of the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham potentially being cancelled once again. In one of our recent blog posts, we set out the case for expanding the capacity of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) rather than dualling in detail, but in a nutshellContinue reading “Spend £1, get up to £2.73 back; why investing into the ECML makes more sense than dualling the A1 in Northumberland.”
The Northumberland Coast Loop 