00:00The latest station on the Northumberland line is set to open next month, with trains stopping at Blythe-Bebside from October 19th.
00:07The announcement marks another milestone in the long-awaited return of passenger rail services to south-east Northumberland,
00:14one of the region's most significant transport regeneration projects in recent years.
00:19Since services resumed last December after decades of disuse, the line has seen over half a million journeys,
00:25a figure hailed as a strong indicator of public demand.
00:28Blythe-Bebside will be the fourth of six new or refurbished stations, offering direct travel in Newcastle in just 29 minutes,
00:36and adding to what local leaders describe as a transformational shift in regional connectivity.
00:41Councillor Glenn Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, confirmed the opening date.
00:46Along with the news that additional services, including late-night trains and a new Sunday link to the Metro Centre, will soon be introduced.
00:53It's great to be able to confirm the opening of our next station, we've designed Blythe-Bebside with accessibility in mind,
01:00including a new pedestrian bridge and secure cycle parking, he said.
01:04The feedback we've had on the line so far is fantastic, and the opening of Blythe-Bebside is expected to bring another boost to passenger numbers.
01:11However, while the line's popularity has been widely praised, the project has not been without setbacks.
01:17The remaining two stations, Bedlington and Northumberland Park, have faced significant delays and are now not expected to open until early 2026.
01:26The Council attributes the delays to a mix of construction challenges and financial pressures.
01:31The opening of Blythe-Bebside station is expected to draw increased commuter traffic and support local economic growth,
01:37but with two stations still to go, the full benefits of the Northumberland line will only be realised once the entire network is complete.
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