Saw a post on Facebook about this earlier, which noted the journey time from Central Station to Ashington as 35 minutes. 

ANEs X20 service is 44 minutes from Haymarket to Ashington Bus Station, bang on 35 minutes from Newcastle to North Seaton. 

If we assume that Bedlington Station to Newcastle is roughly 30 minutes on the train, compare that to the 42 minutes on the X21. 

Then looking at Blyth. Anyone who lives in Blyth will either need to get to Bebside or Newsham, both stations will be at least a bus journey from the town centre while also being a reasonable walk from the nearest 'large' housing area (a longer walk than the nearest bus stop, in both cases). 

I've said it before, but now knowing times and the actual route, I can't grasp why groups have spent years campaigning for this. I have in the past supported the project, but as details become clearer it seems more and more like a waste of time and effort. Realistically, unless you live slap bang in the middle of Ashington, or in Bedlington Station/Bebside/Newsham then I don't see how this is more appealing than a bus - especially given buses on routes in those areas will likely be of higher spec than whatever Northern put on it. For those living in Blyth and Bedlington, the bus seems like a no-brainer, I'd argue similar for those living nearer the south side of Ashington. 

Looking at Morpeth. They have a station served by pretty top-spec Azuma trains (approx. 15 minute journey time), and a Northern service (approx. 20 minute journey time). I have never seen a huge amount of people use the Northern train from Morpeth, certainly nowhere near as many as I've seen pour onto ANEs express services to Newcastle from the town centre (which are slower). 

I've seen many people excited about the B&T, but I've absolutely no idea who it's even for.