A FERRYHILL councillor has described how the area could “rise up” from several setbacks and economic trouble to become a “vital asset” to the Leamside line if the mothballed transport link is resurrected in the future.

Talk of bringing back the historic line have been made over the last couple of years after it was closed in 1992 – shutting the door on connections between Ferryhill and other parts of County Durham with Washington, Sunderland, and Gateshead.

Despite setbacks at the end of last year, which saw Leamside get snubbed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), hopes still exist of local leaders and MPs securing the funding needed to carry out a project of this magnitude.

Read more: Leamside line hopes still remain after business and leaders meet

Today (February 4), transport leaders joined politicians to discuss the future of the rail link during a ‘whistle stop tour’ of various points of Leamside, which saw them travel to Ferryhill, Follingsby and Washington in the North East.

During the meeting, it was suggested that devolution deals and Levelling Up funding could potentially pay for the scheme if an opportunity ever arose – with the project receiving strong support from the region’s political and business leaders.

On the Ferryhill leg of the Leamside journey today, local and district councillor, Joe Quinn, gave an insight into how the area could “prosper” if MPs and other high-profile names fight for the reinstatement of Leamside.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Quinn has set out how the Leamside line could deliver economic benefits to Ferryhill.Cllr Quinn has set out how the Leamside line could deliver economic benefits to Ferryhill.

Currently, he’s trying to push the agenda of the historic link at county hall with Durham County Council – but has also urged people “higher up the chain” to play their part in the project.

He said: “Along with the Leamside line, we need to have infrastructure on the Stillington line, which will involve the rebuild of Ferryhill station. We haven’t had a station here since the 1960s – and it is desperately calling out for a rail service.

“In my opinion, we’ve never had people in power that have wanted to fight for Leamside, but I feel through Paul Howell and others, we have the best chance of delivering this scheme.

“Ferryhill has being dealt an awful hand with several decisions not going our way, but we must fight to bring better times to the area and deliver on this promise.

“I’ll speak out at Durham County Council in the cabinet and will continue to fight the corner of Ferryhill, because it needs someone who will battle for it.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054