Reported as 175101

Leamside Line agreement between Gateshead and County Durham signed 'subject to value for money'

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North East Mayor Kim McGuinness (left) and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met in the region to sign the agreement

An agreement to reopen a regional rail line has been signed by the transport secretary, subject to the assurance that it delivers good value for money.

Further development work on the Leamside Line, which runs from Pelaw in Gateshead to Tursdale in County Durham, is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) initiative.

Regional politicians said the line could provide train links for 100,000 people in the north-east of England, after it closed to passengers in the 1960s.

The document stated the government would ensure resources were available for the Leamside Line reopening "subject to agreement of that business case and assurance that this delivers good value for money".

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met Labour's North East Mayor Kim McGuinness on Thursday to progress the long-awaited proposal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Funding was agreed in 2025 for a restoration of the northern section of the disused route as part of a new Washington loop of the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The document stated the government would work with the North East on the business case for the remainder of the proposed Leamside Line reopening, including considering better connectivity for Sunderland.

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A map showing the potential stations on the Leamside Line, including the planned Metro line to Washington

As well as allowing for new train services through Ferryhill, Sincliffe, Belmont, West Rainton and Penshaw, the route could also provide an alternative path for freight trains to free up more capacity on the congested East Coast Main Line between York and Newcastle.

The NPR scheme also includes plans to improve rail services from Durham, Darlington and Newcastle.

Alexander said: "We're giving the region the support it needs to unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people."

McGuinness added: "For the first time in decades, the new line will give communities a rail link which will be transformational for local people, in the same way the Northumberland Line has been for South East Northumberland."

A 3 car 175, maybe more, has left Wolverton. Hopefully catch it at Dawlishcam at 17.38 although is often early.

1,2,3,4,6 Southampton?

Mark

'No'...unless of course the driver can see something ahead that will affect the safety of their train such as washed away track or a landslide...and react in time to stop the train!

No. 

That's a good point: is there any discretion for the train driver in the cab to look at the situation realtime and say, 'I'm not driving my train into that'?

The voyager 8 cars has now gone through nonstop on the down line. Maybe it's up to the discretion of the drivers?

I’m still not sure forecasted is an actual word. 

From the BBC:

...or everyone could just grow up and call it 'Greater Bristol'! Imagine how much more clout it would have if people outside the area knew where it was. Actually it would help if people INSIDE the area knew where it was!

Perhaps it's time for the Spanish Government to suspend all rail operations until such time as they can ascertain if there is a systemic problem causing these frequent major incidents.