Consett to Newcastle Rail Link feasability study goes ahead
Consett to Newcastle Rail Link feasability study goes ahead
Richard Holden MP for Consett is tweeting: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer, today announced that the feasibility study for new link between Consett and The Tyne has got the go ahead!"
Wonder how this wil affect GNE services (X lines etc...) and possible extension of Tyne & Wear Metro ad zone pricing to the wider area?
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)]https://twitter.com/i/status/1331598510853140480[/color]
(25 Nov 2020, 3:21 pm)Venturego Richard Holden MP for Consett is tweeting: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer, today announced that the feasibility study for new link between Consett and The Tyne has got the go ahead!"
Wonder how this wil affect GNE services (X lines etc...) and possible extension of Tyne & Wear Metro ad zone pricing to the wider area?
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)]https://twitter.com/i/status/1331598510853140480[/color]
(25 Nov 2020, 3:21 pm)Venturego Richard Holden MP for Consett is tweeting: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer, today announced that the feasibility study for new link between Consett and The Tyne has got the go ahead!"
Wonder how this wil affect GNE services (X lines etc...) and possible extension of Tyne & Wear Metro ad zone pricing to the wider area?
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)]https://twitter.com/i/status/1331598510853140480[/color]
No doubt if it does happen it be many years away at the rate they are going. They've been going on about Newcastle to Ashington for over 25 years now and there still no passenger trains to Ashington.
(25 Nov 2020, 3:21 pm)Venturego Richard Holden MP for Consett is tweeting: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer, today announced that the feasibility study for new link between Consett and The Tyne has got the go ahead!"
Wonder how this wil affect GNE services (X lines etc...) and possible extension of Tyne & Wear Metro ad zone pricing to the wider area?
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)]https://twitter.com/i/status/1331598510853140480[/color]
(25 Nov 2020, 3:21 pm)Venturego Richard Holden MP for Consett is tweeting: "The Chancellor of the Exchequer, today announced that the feasibility study for new link between Consett and The Tyne has got the go ahead!"
Wonder how this wil affect GNE services (X lines etc...) and possible extension of Tyne & Wear Metro ad zone pricing to the wider area?
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)]https://twitter.com/i/status/1331598510853140480[/color]
It’s a sop to those ex Labour voters that helped elect him. If it does happen, I ll be later this century.
(26 Nov 2020, 9:45 am)Economic505 It’s a sop to those ex Labour voters that helped elect him. If it does happen, I ll be later this century.
(26 Nov 2020, 9:45 am)Economic505 It’s a sop to those ex Labour voters that helped elect him. If it does happen, I ll be later this century.
As much as this would be handy for people, I really can't see this passing the cost benefit ratio. The B&T is easy because the line already exists so it's mostly just some new stations and new signalling. It'll cost a fortune to build a whole new railway line which mostly passes through nowhere really (no large settlement >100k). Stuff like the Metro through the West End or the Tees Valley Metro will get built before fantasy ideas like this (and that's never happening neither).
(26 Nov 2020, 11:59 am)Storx As much as this would be handy for people, I really can't see this passing the cost benefit ratio. The B&T is easy because the line already exists so it's mostly just some new stations and new signalling. It'll cost a fortune to build a whole new railway line which mostly passes through nowhere really (no large settlement >100k). Stuff like the Metro through the West End or the Tees Valley Metro will get built before fantasy ideas like this (and that's never happening neither).
(26 Nov 2020, 11:59 am)Storx As much as this would be handy for people, I really can't see this passing the cost benefit ratio. The B&T is easy because the line already exists so it's mostly just some new stations and new signalling. It'll cost a fortune to build a whole new railway line which mostly passes through nowhere really (no large settlement >100k). Stuff like the Metro through the West End or the Tees Valley Metro will get built before fantasy ideas like this (and that's never happening neither).
(26 Nov 2020, 2:46 pm)Andreos1 Consett is becoming more and more of a commuter town. The land was cheap and houses plentyful once the decontamination from the steelworks was cleared.
The problems lie in and amongst the road network and topography leading to Newcastle, Gateshead and Durham.
Road improvements or widening schemes aren't likely to happen, particularly as the green agenda is increased.
Unless they can get Consett International Airport off the ground again and offer carbon neutral flights, the rail offer is the next best thing. However unrealistic it may appear.
(26 Nov 2020, 2:46 pm)Andreos1 Consett is becoming more and more of a commuter town. The land was cheap and houses plentyful once the decontamination from the steelworks was cleared.
The problems lie in and amongst the road network and topography leading to Newcastle, Gateshead and Durham.
Road improvements or widening schemes aren't likely to happen, particularly as the green agenda is increased.
Unless they can get Consett International Airport off the ground again and offer carbon neutral flights, the rail offer is the next best thing. However unrealistic it may appear.
(26 Nov 2020, 3:02 pm)Storx It's just the problem is that there's no where to build it. The land remains to Annfield Plain or so and probably wouldn't be 'that' expensive but it won't be cheap. After there there's nothing your building a brand new line almost as the A693 / A692 was built on the new railway line and it's going to become very very expensive for quite little gain really. In the Tyne Wear area the expansions that I think we could see (if any) would be:Quite a long list there but they've all been tipped off over and all will have better cost benefit ratios that the train to Consett sadly. That's in order of likelyhood aswell imo.
- Leamside Line reopening
- Metro from Leamside Line to Sunderland creating a loop.
- Some form of railway / tram connecting Cobalt running on the Stephenson Railway.
- New Railway along Scotswood Road crossing the Tyne near Blaydon
- Extension of the Metro to Ponteland from the Airport
- Branch line from the ECML into Alnwick
- ECML improvements (Quad track) including new stations at Birtley, Team Valley, Heaton, Killingworth and Cramlington station moved South linked to the Alnwick Spur.
- Metro Extension to Ryhope / Doxford Park (new housing possible)
(26 Nov 2020, 3:02 pm)Storx It's just the problem is that there's no where to build it. The land remains to Annfield Plain or so and probably wouldn't be 'that' expensive but it won't be cheap. After there there's nothing your building a brand new line almost as the A693 / A692 was built on the new railway line and it's going to become very very expensive for quite little gain really. In the Tyne Wear area the expansions that I think we could see (if any) would be:Quite a long list there but they've all been tipped off over and all will have better cost benefit ratios that the train to Consett sadly. That's in order of likelyhood aswell imo.
- Leamside Line reopening
- Metro from Leamside Line to Sunderland creating a loop.
- Some form of railway / tram connecting Cobalt running on the Stephenson Railway.
- New Railway along Scotswood Road crossing the Tyne near Blaydon
- Extension of the Metro to Ponteland from the Airport
- Branch line from the ECML into Alnwick
- ECML improvements (Quad track) including new stations at Birtley, Team Valley, Heaton, Killingworth and Cramlington station moved South linked to the Alnwick Spur.
- Metro Extension to Ryhope / Doxford Park (new housing possible)
(26 Nov 2020, 3:02 pm)Storx It's just the problem is that there's no where to build it. The land remains to Annfield Plain or so and probably wouldn't be 'that' expensive but it won't be cheap. After there there's nothing your building a brand new line almost as the A693 / A692 was built on the new railway line and it's going to become very very expensive for quite little gain really.
(26 Nov 2020, 3:02 pm)Storx It's just the problem is that there's no where to build it. The land remains to Annfield Plain or so and probably wouldn't be 'that' expensive but it won't be cheap. After there there's nothing your building a brand new line almost as the A693 / A692 was built on the new railway line and it's going to become very very expensive for quite little gain really.
(26 Nov 2020, 5:17 pm)mb134 If there had been any joined up thinking then an extension to the Metro for CLS, Durham, SE Northumberland and Washington would have been far better than these line reopening schemes that keep popping up.
I forgot to mention it the other week when discussing the Ashington and Blyth line, but I frequently (pre-Covid, anyway) get the 08:56 LNER from Morpeth to Aberdeen. A Northern service leaves a couple of minutes beforehand headed into Newcastle, I don't think I've ever seen more than 2 or 3 people get on it. Fair enough it may be a bit past peak time, but the buses heading from Morpeth to Newcastle at a similar time are generally carrying healthy loads. A return on the train is £6, a Morpeth day routesaver is £6.20. Annually? £1148 on the train, £921 on the bus. I just don't see the likes of Consett, Ashington, Bedlington as places which will be keen on using the train over the convenience of a car, or the flexibility and value of a bus - a Metro system would be a different story.
(26 Nov 2020, 6:20 pm)MurdnunoC There are places to build it although there are now major obstacles in the way.
Pre-Beeching, there were two routes between Newcastle and Consett: The Derwent Valley and the Stanhope and Tyne - the former going through Rowlands Gill and the latter traversing Annfield Plain and Stanley.
The Derwent Valley route is severed in two main places, the first being between the Tyne Valley line and Swalwell, and the second is through Rowlands Gill. Housing estates now occupy both sites and, in Rowlands Gill, you'd have re-engineer the cutting which once ran through the village and now forms part of the village green (or Townley Fields as it's colloquially known). The rest of the route would need to be cleared of vegetation and the embankments strengthened. There are four viaducts on the routes which would require inspection but remain in situ. Additionally, two or three bridges would need to built to carry the line over the roads between Hamsterley Mill and Burnopfield, Hamsterley Mill and Medomsley, and High and Low Westwood (which is basically a dirt track anyway). There are also two minor roads between Ebchester and High Westwood, and Ebchester and Shotley Bridge, which would require bridges to carry them over the line.
The Stanhope and Tyne route between the former Ouston Junction and Kip Hill wouldn't pose that much of a problem aside from structure inspections and vegetation clearance. Once you get to Kip Hill, two bridges would be needed to carry the line over Pelaw Avenue and the A6076 (ironically the original railway bridges have only been replaced in the last twenty years or so). After that, it's pretty much plain sailing to Annfield Plain although a new bridge would be required to carry the line over an access road to Pea Farm. Annfield Plain poses a major problem as you now have houses, Tesco, and the A693 in the way of the original route so it would require a new alignment. Between Greencroft and the Jolly Drovers' roundabout wouldn't require much in the way of work, however, the bit between Leadgate and Consett would need a completely new alignment as houses and the A692 stand in the way of the original route.
Consett is itself poses a major problem as the Derwent Valley line used to circle around the old steel-works to the station, which was located near Delves Lane on the site of the A692 Consett By-Pass. The steel-works is now a sizeable housing development so it's hard to see where a station would now be constructed. From the Derwent Valley, it would have to be Blackhill otherwise tunneling would be required to take it near to the centre of Consett. From Annfield Plain, I think the line would have to stop near Leadgate Roundabout for the same reasons as above.
Some of the obstacles I've listed are not insurmountable, however, whether it would financially feasible to build the line is perhaps the biggest barrier to construction. Getting to the outskirts of Consett is relatively easy in comparison to getting to the centre of Consett. Because action wasn't taken in 1984 to preserve the route serving the steel-works, I believe that this is a total pipe-dream which will be peddled time and time again by politicians eager to engage the local community for one reason or another..
(26 Nov 2020, 5:17 pm)mb134 If there had been any joined up thinking then an extension to the Metro for CLS, Durham, SE Northumberland and Washington would have been far better than these line reopening schemes that keep popping up.
I forgot to mention it the other week when discussing the Ashington and Blyth line, but I frequently (pre-Covid, anyway) get the 08:56 LNER from Morpeth to Aberdeen. A Northern service leaves a couple of minutes beforehand headed into Newcastle, I don't think I've ever seen more than 2 or 3 people get on it. Fair enough it may be a bit past peak time, but the buses heading from Morpeth to Newcastle at a similar time are generally carrying healthy loads. A return on the train is £6, a Morpeth day routesaver is £6.20. Annually? £1148 on the train, £921 on the bus. I just don't see the likes of Consett, Ashington, Bedlington as places which will be keen on using the train over the convenience of a car, or the flexibility and value of a bus - a Metro system would be a different story.
(26 Nov 2020, 6:20 pm)MurdnunoC There are places to build it although there are now major obstacles in the way.
Pre-Beeching, there were two routes between Newcastle and Consett: The Derwent Valley and the Stanhope and Tyne - the former going through Rowlands Gill and the latter traversing Annfield Plain and Stanley.
The Derwent Valley route is severed in two main places, the first being between the Tyne Valley line and Swalwell, and the second is through Rowlands Gill. Housing estates now occupy both sites and, in Rowlands Gill, you'd have re-engineer the cutting which once ran through the village and now forms part of the village green (or Townley Fields as it's colloquially known). The rest of the route would need to be cleared of vegetation and the embankments strengthened. There are four viaducts on the routes which would require inspection but remain in situ. Additionally, two or three bridges would need to built to carry the line over the roads between Hamsterley Mill and Burnopfield, Hamsterley Mill and Medomsley, and High and Low Westwood (which is basically a dirt track anyway). There are also two minor roads between Ebchester and High Westwood, and Ebchester and Shotley Bridge, which would require bridges to carry them over the line.
The Stanhope and Tyne route between the former Ouston Junction and Kip Hill wouldn't pose that much of a problem aside from structure inspections and vegetation clearance. Once you get to Kip Hill, two bridges would be needed to carry the line over Pelaw Avenue and the A6076 (ironically the original railway bridges have only been replaced in the last twenty years or so). After that, it's pretty much plain sailing to Annfield Plain although a new bridge would be required to carry the line over an access road to Pea Farm. Annfield Plain poses a major problem as you now have houses, Tesco, and the A693 in the way of the original route so it would require a new alignment. Between Greencroft and the Jolly Drovers' roundabout wouldn't require much in the way of work, however, the bit between Leadgate and Consett would need a completely new alignment as houses and the A692 stand in the way of the original route.
Consett is itself poses a major problem as the Derwent Valley line used to circle around the old steel-works to the station, which was located near Delves Lane on the site of the A692 Consett By-Pass. The steel-works is now a sizeable housing development so it's hard to see where a station would now be constructed. From the Derwent Valley, it would have to be Blackhill otherwise tunneling would be required to take it near to the centre of Consett. From Annfield Plain, I think the line would have to stop near Leadgate Roundabout for the same reasons as above.
Some of the obstacles I've listed are not insurmountable, however, whether it would financially feasible to build the line is perhaps the biggest barrier to construction. Getting to the outskirts of Consett is relatively easy in comparison to getting to the centre of Consett. Because action wasn't taken in 1984 to preserve the route serving the steel-works, I believe that this is a total pipe-dream which will be peddled time and time again by politicians eager to engage the local community for one reason or another..
(26 Nov 2020, 8:02 pm)Storx You've also got the problem is that is everyone at Consett going to Newcastle, it's easy to say that at Ashington etc as it's the only city nearby. Consett on the other hand has Durham which is an equal distance so the population potential is pretty split in on who's going to use it straight away. Pipe dream definitely the best description
(26 Nov 2020, 8:02 pm)Storx You've also got the problem is that is everyone at Consett going to Newcastle, it's easy to say that at Ashington etc as it's the only city nearby. Consett on the other hand has Durham which is an equal distance so the population potential is pretty split in on who's going to use it straight away. Pipe dream definitely the best description
(26 Nov 2020, 8:35 pm)MurdnunoC Very true and it was something I was thinking about earlier whilst posting.
If local politicians of all persuasions really wanted to connect Consett to the railway, it would be certainly cheaper and more cost-effective to provide funding for a minor diversion to the routes of the 16/16A/X5/X15 to serve Durham station on their way in and out of Durham. The forerunner to the 20, the 220, used to terminate at the station so it is doable.
(26 Nov 2020, 8:35 pm)MurdnunoC Very true and it was something I was thinking about earlier whilst posting.
If local politicians of all persuasions really wanted to connect Consett to the railway, it would be certainly cheaper and more cost-effective to provide funding for a minor diversion to the routes of the 16/16A/X5/X15 to serve Durham station on their way in and out of Durham. The forerunner to the 20, the 220, used to terminate at the station so it is doable.
(26 Nov 2020, 8:45 pm)Storx Edit: it already serves the bus station, shows how well it's advertised.
(26 Nov 2020, 8:45 pm)Storx Edit: it already serves the bus station, shows how well it's advertised.
(27 Nov 2020, 9:28 am)Ianthegoon Whenever I've seen it in the bus station, it's tended to nip in, pause briefly on the stand and then pull away quickly. It didn't help that the stand was shared with another route, and often had vehicles from that route blocking it, so the Cathedrals had to use a different stand, or just drive past and glance to see if anyone was waving furiously at him .....Its not just the cathedral buses that do that, it used to happen quite often to the X21 when Arriva dump their buses in the stands and there's nowhere to pull in
(27 Nov 2020, 9:28 am)Ianthegoon Whenever I've seen it in the bus station, it's tended to nip in, pause briefly on the stand and then pull away quickly. It didn't help that the stand was shared with another route, and often had vehicles from that route blocking it, so the Cathedrals had to use a different stand, or just drive past and glance to see if anyone was waving furiously at him .....Its not just the cathedral buses that do that, it used to happen quite often to the X21 when Arriva dump their buses in the stands and there's nowhere to pull in
https://www.transportnortheast.gov.uk/wp...t-plan.pdf
Just read the above report, which mentions on Page 7 (2nd section coloured Yellow) extension to Consett in 2035 as a potential scheme under consideration?
(27 Nov 2020, 10:19 am)streetdeckfan Its not just the cathedral buses that do that, it used to happen quite often to the X21 when Arriva dump their buses in the stands and there's nowhere to pull in
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(27 Nov 2020, 10:19 am)streetdeckfan Its not just the cathedral buses that do that, it used to happen quite often to the X21 when Arriva dump their buses in the stands and there's nowhere to pull in
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