An historic rail line will reopen to passengers next summer for the first time since the heydays of The Beatles.

The Government has committed to reopening the Northumberland Line to passengers in Summer 2024 for the first time in decades.

Work on the line, which has still been used for freight services, has been underway for some months creating almost 100 new jobs.

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The line will take passengers from Ashington, Northumberland to Newcastle Central Station with six new stations being built at Ashington, Bedlington, Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Deleval and Northumberland Park.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said: “Communities in Northumberland can get ready for regular train services that will better connect people to jobs, education and opportunities while growing our economy.

“Restoring lost railway connections will drive tourism, boost local business opportunities and encourage investment across our regions, which is why I’m pleased to say that we are on track to reopen this historic line next summer.”

Matt Rice, Network Rail’s North and East route drector added: “This is hugely welcome news as we get closer to delivering a transformed railway which will support the re-introduction of regular passenger trains and connect communities in Northumberland and Newcastle.

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“We’re proud to be working with our industry partners on this truly revolutionary project, which will boost economic growth and bring a new lease of life to the region.”

An exact date for when services will return to the line will be announced closer to the time.

The Government says the project will see end-to-end journey times slashed in half with congestion and pollution also expected to fall as passengers swap cars for trains.

The Northumberland Line and Leamside Line both fell victim to the Beeching cuts of 1963 which saw thousands of stations and miles of tracks taken out of use.

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However, a long-running campaign backed by MPs across the region to reopen the mothballed Leamside Line through Wearside and County Durham is still yet to receive Government approval.

But hopes of the line reopening were given a boost in January after a major devolution deal between seven North East local authorities worth £4bn was signed.

The reopening of the route would drastically improve connections in parts of the region cut off from rail travel and allow a £745m extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro through Washington.