Network Rail is upgrading a key section of the Northumberland line and is now closer to opening the line once more for passenger trains.

They are working to replace the railway bridge near Sharnford Close, Backworth, to allow more trains to cross the bridge in the future.

Engineers will also be laying 200 metres of track between Thursday 25th and Tuesday 30th August.

The upgrades are part of a multi-million pound scheme called Restoring Your Railways, which reintroduces regular passenger service between Ashington and Newcastle by 2024.

The scheme will allow the area to be more connected to Newcastle and open opportunities for economic growth and support the towns better.

The work first began in 2021, since then, engineers have renewed over eight miles of track and have upgraded Feather Bed Lane bridge to help with services in the future.

Luke Durston, Senior Sponsor for Network Rail said: “We’re making some fantastic progress on this unique, economically important scheme to offer a new, reliable rail service for communities in the north east.
“Over the bank holiday we’ll be upgrading a vital section of this route, which will take us one step closer to restoring passenger services to South-East Northumberland for the first time in a generation.”

Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County council, said: “It’s great to see progress the scheme is making and work like this clearly demonstrates the engineering challenges we are working through.
“With benefits not only for Northumberland but the wider region, every new structure or track improvement brings this fantastic scheme closer to completion.”