News Beat
Government backs Leamside Line in Northern Powerhouse Rail boost
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.
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.
Regional politicians say the restored railway line could provide train links for 100,000 people in the North East after it closed in the 1960s during the Beeching cuts.
Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East said: “The Leamside Line through County Durham is a once-in-a-generation project that has the potential to transform our communities and I’m pleased the Government has committed to work with us on this.”
Councillor Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, welcomed the news and said it would be a boost for the region.
He added: “It would help to connect thousands of residents without access to rail, to major employers, towns and cities across the region. It would also support the potential to build thousands of new homes across the North East.”
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.
Plans to improve rail services in the north also include improved services from Durham, Darlington and Newcastle.
Mayor McGuinness added: “My region deserves major investment in transport and that’s what we’re delivering, ensuring Northern Powerhouse Rail services reach Newcastle, via Darlington and Durham. We will work with Government on the proposed Leamside reopening, aiming to bring back rail to parts of County Durham for the first time in decades.”
Politicians said the plans would also support plans to build thousands of new homes across the region.
Cllr Husband added: “This includes the re-instatement of the Ferryhill Station and Stillington Line upgrade, which has the potential to replace lost East Coast Main Line passenger services at Durham and Chester-le-Street, as well as the Bowburn Development Route, which supports future stations as a part of a phased approach to reopening the full line.
“We look forward to seeing plans for the full line’s reopening progress as we support and champion the region’s growing economy.”
NPR is the focus of the Government’s wider Northern Growth Strategy, which aims to also provide better jobs, more homes and increased investment in the region.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “Over and over again, people in northern communities, from Liverpool and Manchester to York and Newcastle have been let down by broken promises.
“This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt.
“That’s why this Government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services.”
