Residents launch campaign for more trains to serve…

Residents launch campaign for more trains to serve north Northumberland communities including Bamburgh, Seahouses and Beadnell

The communities of Seahouses, Bamburgh and Beadnell are constantly listed as some of the best travel destinations in the UK.

However, getting to the villages at the north end of the Northumberland Coast AONB can prove tricky for those using public transport. A group of residents hope that they can change that and are attempting to get TransPennine Express to arrange for their five daily trains running between Newcastle and Edinburgh to stop at Chathill, a village situated between the A1 and the coast.

At present, two trains travel between Newcastle and Chathill per day, operated by Northern. Named the Chathill flyer, it does anything but, with the morning train at 7.08am taking 74 minutes to reach Newcastle from Chathill.

The evening train is slightly quicker - a return to Chathill at 5.57pm takes 58 minutes, before it heads back to Newcastle for 8.14pm - roughly the same time an LNER Azuma takes from Berwick to Newcastle. Now, two Northumberland County Councillors have joined a call from Chathill Rail Action Group (CRAG) for more and faster trains to stop at the remote station.

A recent questionnaire issued to local residents showed significant demand not only for journeys to Newcastle and further south, but also to Edinburgh and Scottish destinations. Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, member for Bamburgh ward, said: "This appalling service does not go anywhere near meeting the needs of the many people in our area who desperately need a decent train service."

A train races through Chathill without stopping (John Holwell, Chathill Rail Action Group)

Cllr Wendy Pattison, member for Longhoughton ward, added: "We at Northumberland County Council are always seeking to reduce our carbon footprint and more trains at Chathill will reduce vehicle emissions and traffic on our local roads".

John Holwell of CRAG believes that the reintroduction of trains from Chathill to Edinburgh would meet the needs of the Government's recent union connectivity review, while he also welcomed the statements of both councillors.

He said: "This is exactly the support we need in achieving our objective of more trains at Chathill. The Chathill Flyer has struggled on for years but must now be retired in favour of more frequent fast trains".

A spokesperson for TransPennine Express said: "Customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always seeking new opportunities to provide them with an enhanced service. We are proud of the role we play in helping people in Northumberland get where they need to be, and have regular discussions with the country council regarding the potential for additional calls on our route."

Would you use a rail service between Newcastle and Chathill? Let us know!

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