The Transport Secretary has confirmed both the Government and Northumberland County Council have committed extra funding to the long-awaited Northumberland Line passenger rail service.
Mark Harper was speaking on a visit to the construction site of the new station in Newsham at Blyth following an announcement on Monday morning that the project would be delayed by several months.
Mr Harper felt the railway, which would connect Ashington to Newcastle, would be a huge benefit to south east Northumberland.
