North East leaders are hoping for a radical overhaul of the region’s train network to drastically improve services by 2035.
A new vision of how the North East’s rail system can be upgraded over the next decade is set to be signed off next week. The first North East Rail and Metro Strategy includes a raft of ambitious proposals – including the reopening of mothballed tracks like the Leamside Line, bringing trains to places like Washington for the first time in decades, and multiple extensions to the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Ahead of a meeting of the North East Joint Transport Committee to formally adopt the plan next Tuesday, Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon said: “Our sights are firmly set on reopening the Leamside Line and extending the Metro and we are already taking steps to make these ambitions a reality. We also want to drive investment in the East Coast Main Line in the North East and we’ll continue to make our region’s case for funding from central Government to boost capacity.
