Excitement and frustration ahead of new railway

Emma Fullwood has opened a new nursery opposite Ashington station

Businesses in towns along a new railway line say they hope the passenger services will bring in "new customers", but others are frustrated by delays to the opening of four stations.

The Northumberland Line, which runs from Newcastle to Ashington, will begin operating on 15 December but only two new stations are completed.

Emma Fullwood has opened a new nursery opposite Ashington Station and hopes to "attract parents using the train to get to work".

But Malcolm Robinson, councillor for Bedlington West, said the delays to his town's station meant people would "be stuck at the barriers waving at the people on the train, with no train to get on".

Ashington Station is just one of two new sites which are ready for passengers

It was hoped the line would open with six new stations, but work continues on Newsham, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington and Northumberland Park.

Ms Fullwood said the decision to open a new nursery in Ashington was partly because of its location opposite the station which could be "useful for parents".

"The children have been watching the trains go by during the testing, it's been so exciting, they just love it."

Paul Rowland, from Blyth, plans to use the train "several times a week for commuting" once Newsham's station opens.

The IT engineer said: "I'd like to cut down on my car use, but it'll also be useful for nights out in Newcastle."

Engineer Paul Rowland plans to use the Northumberland Line to get to work when Newsham Station opens

But Robinson feels Bedlington, which is due to see its station open next year, has been "ignored".

"The barriers at Bedlington Station are going to be closed for several hours overall a day, it'll split the town in two but with no train for anyone to get on."

Leader of Northumberland County Council Glen Sanderson said the project had been a "huge undertaking with the wettest winter in 200 years, engineering challenges and unmapped mine works".

"We are working as fast as we can and these stations will be open within months," he added.