(13 Apr 2015, 2:39 pm)Malarkey wrote The only benefit of re-opening The Leamside Line is for Freight to Nissan from the ECML, Otherwise I see it as a complete waste of Money as the Cost would be huge to extend to Washington, If plans were to go ahead what affect would that have on Local Bus Services in the Area, High Frequency Services such as the X1/2/2A and 4 would likely be reduced incurring a Loss of Service as more people would likely hop on the Metro as it is Quicker than the Bus, it would be an X3 Scenario waiting to happen - Bus vs Metro = Metro Wins, then as a Result what affect does that have on those who work at Go North Easts Washington Depot, On top of that Council Tax etc would rise to therefore cover the costs.I know this is off-topic really, but what about fully re-opening the Leamside, freight from Port of Tyne and Nissan would benefit and I am sure heard or read somewhere a while back that Washington is one of the catchment areas not connected to the Railway Network, but what about passenger services, use it for
1. Some TPX services
2. Inter-Urban Services(Newcastle-Middlesbrough via Stillington)
3. ECML Diversions
With new Interchange/Parkway stations at Belmont and Washington
Obviously with freight it would clear the ECML and Durham Coast between Newcastle and Teesside/Ferryhill, but that has been talked about for years now, probably since the Leamside was mothballed