Northumberland Line

The challenge

The project involves the reinstatement of passenger services along a 12-mile corridor of the Northumberland Line, converting an existing freight line into a modern passenger railway. The scheme includes six new stations at Ashington, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park, alongside extensive enabling works such as re-signalling, new footbridges, earthworks and level crossing upgrades.

Delivered by a local authority, the project is one of the most ambitious rail schemes of its kind in the UK in terms of scale, complexity and programme. Securing land, planning permission and rail regulatory approvals required a multifaceted strategy, careful alignment of multiple consenting regimes, and close coordination across numerous contractors, stakeholders and affected communities.

What we did

We provided comprehensive, end-to-end land, planning, environmental and stakeholder engagement services, supporting the project from early strategy through to construction and entry into service.

Our role included:

Land & Property

• Managing land referencing and acquiring over 100 land parcels and rights
• Securing temporary access licences for ground investigation and ecological surveys
• Establishing ownership and management arrangements for completed assets, including stations and bridges
• Managing objectors and negotiations in advance of inquiry
• Producing rail-industry-specific plans, including Station Lease Plans, Land Transfer Plans and HMPE Plans
• Coordinating with highways authorities on current and future highway arrangements

Planning

• Leading pre-application discussions with local planning authorities and key stakeholders
• Authoring Planning Statements demonstrating policy compliance and regional benefits
• Assembling, submitting and managing planning applications and associated consents for all six stations and related infrastructure

Environmental & Ecology

• Preparing Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments, ecological assessments and proposed landscaping strategies
• Advising on biodiversity net gain requirements
• Supporting delivery of a wide range of ecology and ground surveys

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Designing a consultation strategy aligned to planning, Transport & Works Act Order (TWAO) and Level Crossing Order requirements
• Authoring Statements of Community Engagement
• Leading discussions with affected residents and community groups to manage impacts and maintain transparency

Industry Agreements & Rail Regulation

• Securing agreements for adoption and maintenance of stations, footbridges and underpasses
• Working with Network Rail, train operators and the Station Facility Owner to align design and operational requirements
• Supporting rail regulatory processes to enable opening of the line, stations and passenger services