The day started with Newsletter Editor Dave Shaw and I having a TEAMS call with Martin Higgitt, the independent consultant who has recently submitted his report on congestion and public transport within Northumberland Coast’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, along with Ian Robson from the AONB itself. Our premise of course is that the SENRUG proposed local rail service to Berwick, running hourly in both directions and calling at all stations, with integrated bus connections to locations such as Seahouses and Bamburgh, is the way to go. Following the meeting Dave and I hot-footed off to Team Valley, firstly to collect Newsletter 39 from the printers, but then to have a look at different options for the proposed Team Valley station, and the Bensham Curve alignment which could be brought back into use to create an additional rail access to the station. There are different options for the station and the services that will call there, and being south of the Tyne, Railfuture North East Branch rather than SENRUG will take the lead on this. But one option is that the hourly electric Newcastle – Berwick local service we propose is simply extended south one further stop to start from / finish at Team Valley rather than Newcastle. Team Valley would need other services too, such as the highly desired Teesside – Tyneside Express via the Stillington Line. Combined, these services could give the new Team Valley station 2 trains per hour to and from Newcastle. Finally, the evening was spent sticking mailing labels and stamps onto envelopes for sending out the hot off the press Newsletter 39 to those members who do not have or have not provided us with an email address, though sadly these won’t reach members until well into the New Year, so anyone still receiving the Newsletter by post is urged to give us their email address if they have one. Meanwhile, you can view Newsletter 39 here.
