#MorpethBay

To try and illustrate the concept of the Morpeth Bay idea facilitating a possible Morpeth – Bedlington & beyond rail service, a chalk sketch of my idea can be seen above.

In brief;

• Services between Morpeth and Bedlington (& beyond) would be independent of East Coast Mainline (ECML) services; allowing greater potential flexibility, and resilience in event of disruption.
• A Morpeth – Bedlington service provides alternative rail connection from Northumberland Line to the north (Mid/North Northumberland & Scotland), while also offering potential to reopen Choppington station.
• A bay platform adjacent to existing platforms would allow ‘cross platform’ interchange, improving accessibility for those with reduced mobility.
• If done in conjunction with a ‘Stobhill’ station on the outskirts of Morpeth, potentially close to the A196 it could offset loss of car parking at the station and provide a better interchange with buses.

Added 11.12.20

A cross platform interchange would be virtually essential. One response to the proposal was to build a platform on the other side of Coopies Lane, but that introduces issues of accessibility as it would require crossing a busy road, and for those with visual/physical impairments and/or vulnerable people such as children it adds difficulty and risk.

Services to and from Morpeth do not need end at Bedlington either, please see link at top of page for other thoughts on this.

As ever, please feel welcome to leave a comment below:

RH.