TRANSPORT chiefs have repeated promises that passengers will be travelling on the Northumberland Line before the end of 2024.

The route, formerly known as the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne Line, has been closed to commuters since the 1960s.

But following confirmation of government funding worth £34 million, regional bosses are confident the project will stick to its planned timeline.

“The Northumberland Line is going great guns,” said Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Transport North East.

“Courtesy of a project led by Northumberland Council, we will see trains on that line by 2024, at the latest. But they’re working closely with the Government to try and speed it up as much as they can.”

Hughes was speaking at a meeting of the North East Joint Transport Committee’s Audit Committee.

Once completed, the Northumberland Line is due to connect to the Tyne and Wear Metro network at Northumberland Park, North Tyneside. Heading north, stops on the route are planned at Seaton Delaval, Blyth, Bedlington and Ashington.

The final bill is expected to be close to £166 million.

Earlier this month, bosses at Northumberland County Council approved plans for a bridge crossing the line to replace an existing level crossing, while the local authority has also applied for a Transport and Works Act Order from the Government which would give it compulsory purchase powers for the project.