First part complete as ex-railway becomes greenway

The first section runs to Rugley Bridge where it joins a road back to Alnwick creating a new circular route

Work has been completed on the first section of a project to create a greenway from a railway line which closed 71 years ago.

Diggers were used to clear ditches and pull trees from the first part of the Alnwick to Cornhill line in Northumberland.

The line opened in 1887, but served sparsely populated rural areas and was never profitable or well used, finally closing in 1953.

A bridge still needs to be replaced, but it is hoped the first two miles (3.2km) will reopen as a greenway for walkers and cyclists by autumn 2024.

The line from Alnwick to Cornhill was never well used and never made a profit

David Wilson, secretary of the Borderline Greenway Community Interest Group (CIC) which is working to bring it back into public use, said it was "fantastic" to uncover the original track bed.

"We've also cleared Rugley Bridge and it's amazing to see the Victorian brickwork all at an angle and to know we've saved it as National Highways (NH) were proposing to fill it in with concrete," he said

"We need to replace a bridge at Greensfield but once that's done we'll be able to open the first section and people can return along Rugley Road, creating a nice 5km (2.6 mile) circular route.

"But at the moment it is not open for safety reasons, while work is carried out."

NH said it "fully supported" the group's plans.

Dozens of trees fell onto the former rail line during Storm Arwen in 2021 leaving much of it impassable

The long-term aim would see the whole of the old line from Alnwick to Cornhill reopened as a greenway suitable for walkers, cyclists, horses, pushchairs and wheelchairs.

It would also connect with Route 1 of the National Cycle Network, creating a 100-mile (170km) loop through north Northumberland, encouraging cyclists to explore more of the county rather than just staying on the coast.

The path will be suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs making it accessible to all

"There has been incredible public support for this project and what we've found is that a number of landowners on the whole route have come to us and said, yes we'd like to see this happen," Mr Wilson said.

"What we hope is that this will encourage those who are less enthusiastic, or have concerns to come onboard as well."