Northumberland Line opening delayed until December

The final cost of the project will be close to £300m

The reopening of the Northumberland Line's first few stations has been delayed until December.

Three of the line's six stations – Seaton Delaval, Ashington and Newsham – had been due to open in summer.

But Northumberland County Council said the opening had now been pushed back due to "weather-related impact to construction".

The head of South East Northumberland Rail User Group, Dennis Fancett, said the group was "disappointed" about the length of delay.

The new transport route will see passenger rail brought back to the south east of the county for the first time since the 1960s, connecting Bedlington, Ashington and Blyth with Newcastle.

Programme director Neil Blagburn said that while the line's reopening had been delayed, they were "working hard" to reopen earlier.

"This has been a real team effort and as with any large and complex project, challenges often arise," he said.

The local authority also confirmed the final cost of the line would be £298.5m.

Mr Fancett said the opening of the line would have a "transformational" effect on south-east Northumberland.

"So while we'll be waiting a few more months, I'm very much looking forward to travelling on the first passenger train when it does finally run," he said.