MPs, local politicians and business leaders across the North East have met this morning (February 4) at multiple locations along the Leamside line to make the case for the reopening of the historic rail link.
The rail route, a 21 mile stretch from Gateshead, through South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham, has been closed since 1992, but over the last few years, talk of reopening the vital transport network have surfaced.
At the end of last year, hopes of bringing the Leamside line back into use were dashed after Prime Minister Boris Johnson snubbed the proposals in his Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) – leading to local outrage within County Durham and the wider North East.
Read more: Fresh Leamside Line hopes for County Durham communities
However, according to business and political leaders in the North East, reopening the disused line is a key priority for the region because of the economic, social, and environmental benefits it would bring.
Communities in Ferryhill in County Durham would particularly benefit from the push to reopen the rail link, due to its closeness to numerous areas where new jobs and housing could be stimulated by new stations.
The line’s reopening is strongly supported by the region’s political and business leaders.
Paul Howell MP for Sedgefield, Sharon Hodgson MP for Washington and Sunderland West, and Liz Twist MP for Blaydon met with Cllr Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport and Leader of Gateshead Council today (February 4) alongside other supporters from the North East Chamber of Commerce, North East Local Enterprise Partnership, Transport for the North, Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Nexus and Transport North East, at three strategic points on the line – Ferryhill, Follingsby and Washington.
The visit enabled the group to get a closer look at what scheme delivery in the future would look like.
Cllr Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “The Leamside Line is one of our top priorities and its reopening would change the socio-economic future of the North East.
Read more: Faint hopes of reopening the Leamside Line remain in County Durham
"We need the Leamside Line reopened and our political and business communities are absolutely united on this. I'm delighted see such strong support today from some of the line’s most vocal supporters.
“Places like Follingsby, Washington and Ferryhill are crying out for direct rail connectivity, and we must continue to call for investment in this critical piece of railway infrastructure. Leamside has the potential to be game-changing – let's make it a reality for the people of the North East.”
To try and press ahead with the reopening, studies into passenger services through County Durham to a reopened Ferryhill station, and the use of the line for freight, will be carried out.
All of the studies will shortly be combined into a single comprehensive plan which maximises the benefits to the North East. This work will feature in a report to the Joint Transport Committee later this year.
Paul Howell MP, is a long-time supporter of the line and recently wrote to the new Rail Minister to outline reasons for its reopening, as well as campaigning within the House of Commons for a reopening for the Leamside line.
This morning, Mr Howell said: “The Leamside Line would be truly transformational for the North East and we continue to make the case to reopen the line, connecting communities such as Ferryhill to the Local and National rail network. Leamside will solve the capacity constraints we face on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and I will continue to push for it to be developed.”
Read more: Government's rejects study into reopening of Leamside Line
During the visit to the disused rail line this morning, several more business and political leaders reacted to the news that Leamside could reopen in the future. Here’s what they had to say:
Henri Murison, Director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership
“Reopening the Leamside Line is not just critical for connectivity in the region, it’s vital for the whole Northern Powerhouse. It could provide much-needed freight capacity, while playing a key role in Northern Powerhouse Rail by opening up Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland to those travelling from Liverpool and Manchester for business or leisure.
“The huge potential benefits of the newly reopened Ferryhill Station - which we and Paul Howell MP have long campaigned - will be significantly undermined if it only connects people to Middlesbrough, when the potential is to open up Wearside and Tyneside as well.”
Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West
Sharon Hodgson MP, an avid supporter of the Leamside Line, continues to make the case for reopening and presented an online petition to Government last year on the issue.
Mrs Hodgson has successfully secured a debate in Parliament on the ‘Potential merits of reopening the Leamside Line’ which has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 2.30pm in Westminster Hall.
She said: “Washington is the fourth largest town in the UK without a direct rail link and it’s gone on for long enough. There is overwhelming support across business, political and local communities to get things moving and I want to see this happen. I look forward to putting forward our region’s strong strategic case in the Westminster Hall debate next week.”
Lesley Moody, president of North East England Chamber of Commerce
“Re-opening the Leamside Line would improve rail journeys for 1,000s of passengers each day and create more much-needed capacity to move both passengers and goods by rail across the North East. It’s essential to see investment in our rail connections as this infrastructure has such a key part to play if we are to be levelled up in any meaningful sense.”
Lucy Winskell, chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
“We strongly support the ambition to reopen the Leamside Line. The reintroduction of passenger services along this line would not only open up vital transport links for communities in the surrounding areas and give increased access to employment and leisure opportunities, it is also part of a wider solution to speed up journey times on the East Coast Main Line, linking the North East to the rest of the UK rail network. It could also lead to a significant reduction in car trips on the surrounding highway network which would have positive environmental benefits.”
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