Proposals to reopen a rail connection from Consett to Newcastle have been submitted to
the government by a North East council.
Durham County Council has submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) to the
Department for Transport to re-establish a passenger rail connection between the two
locations.
In 2020, the government established a £500 million fund to restore railways and reconnect
communities. As part of this, it confirmed that additional funding was available to explore
the feasibility of 15 transport proposals which aim to restore local rail services.
Durham County Council submitted an Expression of Interest to explore the feasibility of
restoring the rail service in Consett as part of its broader commitment to improving public
transport connectivity across the county. In November 2020, it was awarded funding to
further develop proposals.
This week, the council submitted the case, with the endorsement of Richard Holden, MP
for North West Durham, for the restoration of passenger rail services.
This will now be assessed by the Department for Transport, which will decide whether it
will be progressed further to a detailed assessment. Under the proposals, a new station
would be built at Consett as well as further intermediate additional stations along different
route options.
Route options have also been reviewed and include a route via Annfield Plain and Stanley,
which would link to Newcastle via the East Coast Main Line. A potential route via the
Derwent Valley has also been explored, with the council committed to further developing
appropriate environmental and cycle route mitigations along these potential routes.
The business case states that establishing a new railway line between Consett and
Newcastle would enhance access to opportunities within the wider North East area,
reduce the environmental impacts of existing road traffic and improve air quality.
Cllr Richard Bell, the council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for finance, said:
“Plans to reopen a railway service in Consett are in their infancy and very much at an
explorative stage, but findings from our initial research are very positive. If successfully
implemented, the scheme would lead to major improvements in connectivity between
Consett and the wider North East region, opening up the area for residents, businesses
and visitors.
“Projections show that up to three million annual trips could be achieved, from a potential
station at Consett and other stations along the Annfield Plain and Stanley corridor. A new
line would act as a catalyst in accelerating investment in the local area, contributing to a
reduction in levels of deprivation by offering better access to higher value jobs and
promoting the area as a fantastic place to live and work.”
Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, said: “For decades, we’ve seen services
removed from the towns and villages of North West Durham. It’s time for that to change.
“When I was elected, I promised I’d campaign for improved bus connections, cycling and
walking access, and a fixed public transport links between Consett and the Tyne as well as
connecting Crook and Weardale to Darlington. I’m delighted that working with Durham
County Council, we’ve now received feasibility funding support for both of the big transport
schemes and that the first is reporting today.
“I’m fully supportive of the SOBC being submitted and am looking forward to working with
the council to campaign for the next stages of this plan to level up local transport.
“The people in towns and villages of North West Durham deserve the same opportunity as
those in any other part of the country to access career and education opportunities. I will
continue to campaign to deliver greater opportunity for everyone in North West Durham.”
For more information about the proposals, visit www.durham.gov.uk/consettrail
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