Leamside Line
Leamside Line
The funds could have been made available through the regional development fund under that auspices of ONE and South Tyneside Council. Railtrack did the work, the development money would have helped stations which would have safeguarded the line. As it was the work done to reopen the line was wasted, the signalling cable was stolen and track was lifted. The reports of the Leamside being closed since the 1960s are absolute rubbish, the line was still in use into the 90s and it was the embankment fire north of Tursdale which closed the line, today the entire embankment would have to be removed and replaced.
(01 Nov 2021, 9:36 pm)54APhotography The funds could have been made available through the regional development fund under that auspices of ONE and South Tyneside Council. Railtrack did the work, the development money would have helped stations which would have safeguarded the line. As it was the work done to reopen the line was wasted, the signalling cable was stolen and track was lifted. The reports of the Leamside being closed since the 1960s are absolute rubbish, the line was still in use in tbe80a and it was the embankment fire north of Tursdale which closed the line.
(01 Nov 2021, 9:36 pm)54APhotography The funds could have been made available through the regional development fund under that auspices of ONE and South Tyneside Council. Railtrack did the work, the development money would have helped stations which would have safeguarded the line. As it was the work done to reopen the line was wasted, the signalling cable was stolen and track was lifted. The reports of the Leamside being closed since the 1960s are absolute rubbish, the line was still in use in tbe80a and it was the embankment fire north of Tursdale which closed the line.
(02 Nov 2021, 8:47 am)Andreos1 The fact is, they weren't. Whether that was because the scheme didn't meet the ERDF criteria at the timr or for another reason, I'm not sure we will ever know.The primary problem in the funding for what would have been Metro expansion to Washington, was dogged with infighting and Gateshead council, which throughout the period of investment were a problem and still are today. look at the difference in redevelopment away from the riverside..
You are right, it didn't close in the 60's. That was when regular passenger services ended.
The ECML diversions stopped in the late 80s if I remember right and I'm sure there were still freight runs until the early 90s.
Having lived close to the line at various stages of the line for quite a few years from the early 90s onwards, it was clear that although officially mothballed - that once the cable and trackbed was stolen and crossings tarmaced over, it was going to take a lot to re-open it.
It was used as a shortcut, it was used by people to hang-out and socialise, it was used by thieves and vandals too. There was no adequate fencing and I'm pretty sure there's been no heavy maintenance carried out on the bridges or the viaduct either.
I am definitely in the pro-Leamside Line camp. I think the benefits of getting it going again are potentially huge.
Given the issues and delays in getting passenger trains on to the B&T line (where infrastructure is largely intact) and there was a concerted campaign by not only politicians and locals - I do wonder if the Leamside will ever will re-open.
(02 Nov 2021, 8:47 am)Andreos1 The fact is, they weren't. Whether that was because the scheme didn't meet the ERDF criteria at the timr or for another reason, I'm not sure we will ever know.The primary problem in the funding for what would have been Metro expansion to Washington, was dogged with infighting and Gateshead council, which throughout the period of investment were a problem and still are today. look at the difference in redevelopment away from the riverside..
You are right, it didn't close in the 60's. That was when regular passenger services ended.
The ECML diversions stopped in the late 80s if I remember right and I'm sure there were still freight runs until the early 90s.
Having lived close to the line at various stages of the line for quite a few years from the early 90s onwards, it was clear that although officially mothballed - that once the cable and trackbed was stolen and crossings tarmaced over, it was going to take a lot to re-open it.
It was used as a shortcut, it was used by people to hang-out and socialise, it was used by thieves and vandals too. There was no adequate fencing and I'm pretty sure there's been no heavy maintenance carried out on the bridges or the viaduct either.
I am definitely in the pro-Leamside Line camp. I think the benefits of getting it going again are potentially huge.
Given the issues and delays in getting passenger trains on to the B&T line (where infrastructure is largely intact) and there was a concerted campaign by not only politicians and locals - I do wonder if the Leamside will ever will re-open.
(02 Nov 2021, 9:00 am)Ds1197 Victoria viaduct looked like it was in disrepair the last time I seen it which I think its grade listed and don't network rail still own the track bed of the leamside line
(02 Nov 2021, 9:00 am)Ds1197 Victoria viaduct looked like it was in disrepair the last time I seen it which I think its grade listed and don't network rail still own the track bed of the leamside line
(02 Nov 2021, 8:47 am)Andreos1 The fact is, they weren't. Whether that was because the scheme didn't meet the ERDF criteria at the timr or for another reason, I'm not sure we will ever know.
You are right, it didn't close in the 60's. That was when regular passenger services ended.
The ECML diversions stopped in the late 80s if I remember right and I'm sure there were still freight runs until the early 90s.
Having lived close to the line at various stages of the line for quite a few years from the early 90s onwards, it was clear that although officially mothballed - that once the cable and trackbed was stolen and crossings tarmaced over, it was going to take a lot to re-open it.
It was used as a shortcut, it was used by people to hang-out and socialise, it was used by thieves and vandals too. There was no adequate fencing and I'm pretty sure there's been no heavy maintenance carried out on the bridges or the viaduct either.
I am definitely in the pro-Leamside Line camp. I think the benefits of getting it going again are potentially huge.
Given the issues and delays in getting passenger trains on to the B&T line (where infrastructure is largely intact) and there was a concerted campaign by not only politicians and locals - I do wonder if the Leamside will ever will re-open.
(02 Nov 2021, 8:47 am)Andreos1 The fact is, they weren't. Whether that was because the scheme didn't meet the ERDF criteria at the timr or for another reason, I'm not sure we will ever know.
You are right, it didn't close in the 60's. That was when regular passenger services ended.
The ECML diversions stopped in the late 80s if I remember right and I'm sure there were still freight runs until the early 90s.
Having lived close to the line at various stages of the line for quite a few years from the early 90s onwards, it was clear that although officially mothballed - that once the cable and trackbed was stolen and crossings tarmaced over, it was going to take a lot to re-open it.
It was used as a shortcut, it was used by people to hang-out and socialise, it was used by thieves and vandals too. There was no adequate fencing and I'm pretty sure there's been no heavy maintenance carried out on the bridges or the viaduct either.
I am definitely in the pro-Leamside Line camp. I think the benefits of getting it going again are potentially huge.
Given the issues and delays in getting passenger trains on to the B&T line (where infrastructure is largely intact) and there was a concerted campaign by not only politicians and locals - I do wonder if the Leamside will ever will re-open.
(02 Nov 2021, 10:23 am)Adrian Yeah, they own all the track bed and infrastructure still. Although most of the track was removed during 2012, supposedly to deter theft (despite being a decade after 2 miles of it was nicked in Penshaw during 2003) and because it was deemed life-expired by Network Rail.Much of the route needs considerable vegetation removal, having cycled all of the routes that interject with the line it is not surprising given the 30 years of uncontrolled growth, the bridge at Leamside on station road itself is shrouded in trees.
There was an FOI response here (dated 2017) that stated the Viaduct is in a fair state of repair: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/g...ia_viaduct
I've been up there last year when out walking, and although you cannot get onto the Viaduct itself anymore, it doesn't look in too bad a condition apart from I wouldn't trust holding the railings, as they are definitely in need of repair. There's also proper walking routes below and it doesn't look in bad condition from under either. I'm no structural engineer though!
There's fencing with a gate at each side (as below) now, so you can't use it to walk between Washington and Penshaw. When the gates originally went up, the locks kept getting cut off to reopen it as a through route, but I believe the gate at the Penshaw side has now been welded shut by Network Rail. I'd say it seems to have worked as a deterrent to some degree, as the Washington side is really overgrown now.
(02 Nov 2021, 10:23 am)Adrian Yeah, they own all the track bed and infrastructure still. Although most of the track was removed during 2012, supposedly to deter theft (despite being a decade after 2 miles of it was nicked in Penshaw during 2003) and because it was deemed life-expired by Network Rail.Much of the route needs considerable vegetation removal, having cycled all of the routes that interject with the line it is not surprising given the 30 years of uncontrolled growth, the bridge at Leamside on station road itself is shrouded in trees.
There was an FOI response here (dated 2017) that stated the Viaduct is in a fair state of repair: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/g...ia_viaduct
I've been up there last year when out walking, and although you cannot get onto the Viaduct itself anymore, it doesn't look in too bad a condition apart from I wouldn't trust holding the railings, as they are definitely in need of repair. There's also proper walking routes below and it doesn't look in bad condition from under either. I'm no structural engineer though!
There's fencing with a gate at each side (as below) now, so you can't use it to walk between Washington and Penshaw. When the gates originally went up, the locks kept getting cut off to reopen it as a through route, but I believe the gate at the Penshaw side has now been welded shut by Network Rail. I'd say it seems to have worked as a deterrent to some degree, as the Washington side is really overgrown now.
https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ar-3502407&h=AT10NHMQjI7F643lFF-d2gFhfRzA86BjrZ2N2tzVkNM11HYou9mT7y4jwNu37LXsSEmtH-U6cwQuMEF2nF41LeUJAs75jiV5N0bj_8B-OZNxpJ9aCg3rz3GuH2IEAYRB
Potential reprieve for Leamside Line?
(22 Dec 2021, 3:27 pm)Andreos1 https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ar-3502407&h=AT10NHMQjI7F643lFF-d2gFhfRzA86BjrZ2N2tzVkNM11HYou9mT7y4jwNu37LXsSEmtH-U6cwQuMEF2nF41LeUJAs75jiV5N0bj_8B-OZNxpJ9aCg3rz3GuH2IEAYRBFunding. The main stumbling block, plus councils that don't co-operate. £625m the lightest estimate. With OLE £1bn.
Potential reprieve for Leamside Line?
(22 Dec 2021, 3:27 pm)Andreos1 https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ar-3502407&h=AT10NHMQjI7F643lFF-d2gFhfRzA86BjrZ2N2tzVkNM11HYou9mT7y4jwNu37LXsSEmtH-U6cwQuMEF2nF41LeUJAs75jiV5N0bj_8B-OZNxpJ9aCg3rz3GuH2IEAYRBFunding. The main stumbling block, plus councils that don't co-operate. £625m the lightest estimate. With OLE £1bn.
Potential reprieve for Leamside Line?
(22 Dec 2021, 3:27 pm)Andreos1 https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ar-3502407&h=AT10NHMQjI7F643lFF-d2gFhfRzA86BjrZ2N2tzVkNM11HYou9mT7y4jwNu37LXsSEmtH-U6cwQuMEF2nF41LeUJAs75jiV5N0bj_8B-OZNxpJ9aCg3rz3GuH2IEAYRB
Potential reprieve for Leamside Line?
(22 Dec 2021, 3:27 pm)Andreos1 https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ar-3502407&h=AT10NHMQjI7F643lFF-d2gFhfRzA86BjrZ2N2tzVkNM11HYou9mT7y4jwNu37LXsSEmtH-U6cwQuMEF2nF41LeUJAs75jiV5N0bj_8B-OZNxpJ9aCg3rz3GuH2IEAYRB
Potential reprieve for Leamside Line?
(22 Dec 2021, 5:04 pm)deanmachine Read this article the other day, I'll believe it when I see it, I don't understand who would fund it if not Central Government? Nexus wouldn't be interested and neither would Durham, who else would pay for it?The North East was awarded £600m recently through the City Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement - BUT the money being released is dependent on there being a Mayoral Combined Authority rather than the current two CAs (with one having a mayor) and transport being run by a "Joint Committee".
(22 Dec 2021, 5:04 pm)deanmachine Read this article the other day, I'll believe it when I see it, I don't understand who would fund it if not Central Government? Nexus wouldn't be interested and neither would Durham, who else would pay for it?The North East was awarded £600m recently through the City Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement - BUT the money being released is dependent on there being a Mayoral Combined Authority rather than the current two CAs (with one having a mayor) and transport being run by a "Joint Committee".
(11 Jan 2022, 8:30 pm)Adrian New business plan for Sunderland and South Tyneside Metro extension unveiled: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/business/...ed-3523383Quite surprised on a facebook thread of the Sunderland Echo, that when it was pointed out a directly elected mayor could hold the key to investment for the Leamside, the response was a lot of laughter emojis and derisory comments.. Seems the incumbent council majority has little fear of a public vote on an elected mayor.. I had a rare off-road cycle along the line from South Hlyton to Penshaw and along side to Shiney Row, and later off the C2C alongside the Leamside to Seven Houses on Monday and noticed the trackbed in many areas is the home of drinking gangs, thought occurred to me that if Nexus were to operate battery operation and cab signalling might be the best course, the trackbed is not secure anywhere..
Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
(11 Jan 2022, 8:30 pm)Adrian New business plan for Sunderland and South Tyneside Metro extension unveiled: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/business/...ed-3523383Quite surprised on a facebook thread of the Sunderland Echo, that when it was pointed out a directly elected mayor could hold the key to investment for the Leamside, the response was a lot of laughter emojis and derisory comments.. Seems the incumbent council majority has little fear of a public vote on an elected mayor.. I had a rare off-road cycle along the line from South Hlyton to Penshaw and along side to Shiney Row, and later off the C2C alongside the Leamside to Seven Houses on Monday and noticed the trackbed in many areas is the home of drinking gangs, thought occurred to me that if Nexus were to operate battery operation and cab signalling might be the best course, the trackbed is not secure anywhere..
Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
https://twitter.com/tobynhughes/status/1...D-YwC6lUrg&s=19
One to keep an eye on?
(04 Feb 2022, 10:12 am)Andreos1 https://twitter.com/tobynhughes/status/1...D-YwC6lUrg&s=19
One to keep an eye on?
(04 Feb 2022, 10:12 am)Andreos1 https://twitter.com/tobynhughes/status/1...D-YwC6lUrg&s=19
One to keep an eye on?
(04 Feb 2022, 10:12 am)Andreos1 https://twitter.com/tobynhughes/status/1...D-YwC6lUrg&s=19
One to keep an eye on?
(04 Feb 2022, 10:12 am)Andreos1 https://twitter.com/tobynhughes/status/1...D-YwC6lUrg&s=19
One to keep an eye on?
(04 Feb 2022, 11:41 am)MurdnunoC To echo the comments of respondants to Tobyn"s tweet: there's no real reason why a station at Gatehsead Quays couldn't go ahead irrespective of whether the Leamside Line is restored.One of the replies was about making the business case stack up and there being more chance of it working with trains from the Leamside Line joining those from the Durham Coast.
It wouldn't be too hard to get to Follingsby either.
(04 Feb 2022, 11:41 am)MurdnunoC To echo the comments of respondants to Tobyn"s tweet: there's no real reason why a station at Gatehsead Quays couldn't go ahead irrespective of whether the Leamside Line is restored.One of the replies was about making the business case stack up and there being more chance of it working with trains from the Leamside Line joining those from the Durham Coast.
It wouldn't be too hard to get to Follingsby either.
(04 Feb 2022, 5:58 pm)Andreos1 One of the replies was about making the business case stack up and there being more chance of it working with trains from the Leamside Line joining those from the Durham Coast.The location of the station would presumably be between the site of the old Gateshead East platforms and the bridge over Oakwellgate? Perhaps the shoots of a park and ride?
(04 Feb 2022, 5:58 pm)Andreos1 One of the replies was about making the business case stack up and there being more chance of it working with trains from the Leamside Line joining those from the Durham Coast.The location of the station would presumably be between the site of the old Gateshead East platforms and the bridge over Oakwellgate? Perhaps the shoots of a park and ride?
(05 Feb 2022, 9:09 am)54APhotography The location of the station would presumably be between the site of the old Gateshead East platforms and the bridge over Oakwellgate? Perhaps the shoots of a park and ride?I'm not sure how feasible it would be to put on the old site.
(05 Feb 2022, 9:09 am)54APhotography The location of the station would presumably be between the site of the old Gateshead East platforms and the bridge over Oakwellgate? Perhaps the shoots of a park and ride?I'm not sure how feasible it would be to put on the old site.
(05 Feb 2022, 10:06 am)Andreos1 I'm not sure how feasible it would be to put on the old site.
My own thoughts were that it would be somewhere down by the Sage itself. Maybe opposite the bingo where theres a car park currently.