THE return of passenger rail travel to areas of Northumberland has been pushed back to 2024.

The Government has confirmed that regular services will return to the much-anticipated Northumberland Line by summer 2024 with an exact date expected closer to the time.

In June 2022 it was announced that the 18 miles of track would be carrying passengers by December of this year. The reasons for the delay are yet to be specified.

The Northumberland Line will stop at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland Park and finally Newcastle Central. The Government say the completed line will slash journey times in half and bring the railway back to towns that have not had services since the time of the Beatles. 

Speaking following the announcement, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "Communities in Northumberland can get ready for regular train services that will better connect people to jobs, education and opportunities while growing our economy.

"Restoring lost railway connections will drive tourism, boost local business opportunities and encourage investment across our regions, which is why I’m pleased to say that we are on track to reopen this historic line next summer."

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The Government and Northumberland County Council are hopeful the half-hourly service will “reconnect communities” and boost the region’s economy by improving access to jobs. Officials say journey times between Ashington and Newcastle will be reduced from 70 minutes to just 35.

Meanwhile questions remain over the future of plans to dual the A1 in Northumberland after Mr Harper declined to commit to the project.

He said the Government would not be commenting before it was ready – but added he was well aware of the campaign to dual the road and that Berwick MP Anne Marie Trevelyan had been making the case to him.

The Government had pledged to make a decision on whether it would dual a 13-mile stretch of the road between Morpeth and Alnwick in December.

At the time, Transport Minister Huw Merriman said a further nine months was needed for "consideration of environmental matters".