Rail is normally an excellent magazine – indeed we’ve had former Editor Nigel Harris speak at a SENRUG Public Meeting, and we have a close relationship with columnist Christian Wolmar, who has visited us more than once, and always speaks positively about us and our campaigns. But I did take exception to this piece (from a different columnist I hasten to say) giving a very downbeat and dare I say ill informed view of the prospects of extending the Northumberland Line to Newbiggin. Below is my email to the Editor copied to Mr Johnston (who compiles this page). Almost 4 weeks ago now and alas – no response so far.
Dear Mr Ross
I was astonished to read the paragraph in the Regional News section of Rail 1044 throwing cold water on the possibility of extending the Northumberland Line to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.
You report there is no obvious location for the station. Where on earth has that come from? There is a very obvious location – at the end of the former alignment that remains perfectly in tact. The extension to Newbiggin would be via a 0.8 mile single track extension from where the alignment leaves the working freight route, east of the A189 Spine Road road bridge, and would only require a single platform and a very small footprint.
The fact that the previous station buildings have been “flattened” – as you dramatically put it, is completely irrelevant. The same is true of all the Northumberland Line stations, except Bedlington. It hasn’t stopped the line opening, and no replacement buildings have been constructed. Northumberland Line stations are simple affairs with platform(s), a waiting shelter, a TVM and nothing else. In the case of the exception – Bedlington – 2 buildings remained initially, but one of these has been demolished at Network Rail’s insistence as part of the platform re-construction, and the other building, whilst still standing, will not be used for rail purposes. So even if buildings at Newbiggin remained, they would serve no purpose as the station will not be staffed.
We at SENRUG have always felt there are dark forces at work within the rail industry determined to belittle any serious attempt to open anything, and it does seem Rail has been taken in by such voices, rather than listening to campaign groups such as SENRUG who have a clear and simple plan. Our 20-year campaign to get the Northumberland Line open has involved taking on and beating those from within the industry who told us it was impossible, and we stand ready to do so again. Accordingly, I would like to invite yourself or one of your team to visit us in Northumberland and we can walk the route together to see how easy the opening would be – this will hopefully allow you to report on the campaign in more positive tones in future.
We are fortunate that at the Northumberland Line opening ceremony last December, both the Conservative Leader of Northumberland Council, and the Labour North East Mayor mentioned in their speeches that they wanted to see the line extended to Newbiggin at the earliest opportunity. Neither seemed to be aware of any road scheme that prevents this, and neither is SENRUG. We have the political consensus. So let’s do it.
