(15 Apr 2025, 7:38 pm)Superman wrote Simple answer to this one. They didn't have enough space to keep everything. Both Blyth and  Ashington are rammed full. They kept the stuff that made the most money.

Precisely this, and it wasn't like they didn't try! There were visible plans drawn up by an external company of the proposed site on Shields Road, and there were also heavy rumours of them looking into purchasing land to expand Ashington. However, from memory, massive cost increases (it was around the time of the Truss budget I think?) saw both of those ruled out in the end. 

I've not seen Blyth since the redevelopment, but I do know that the Ashington yard is full to the brim when all vehicles are back - I think the only way they'd see any further services would be for more boards to go to Alnwick? Although it's likely got a bit of breathing room now that the 43 boards moved over to Blyth.