Proposal submitted to re-open rail route

Proposals to reopen a rail connection from Consett to Newcastle have been submitted to the Government by Durham County Council to improve connectivity for businesses, visitors and residents.The council submitted a strategic outline business case to the Department for Transport, with the endorsement of Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham.In 2020, the government established a £500m fund to restore railways and reconnect communities. As part of this, it confirmed that additional funding was available to explore the feasibility of 15 transport proposals which aim to restore local rail services.Under the proposals, a new station would be built at Consett, as well as further intermediate additional stations along different route options.Route options have also been reviewed and include a route via Annfield Plain and Stanley, which would link to Newcastle via the East Coast Main Line. A potential route through the Derwent Valley has also been explored, with the council committed to further developing appropriate environmental and cycle route mitigations along these potential routes.The business case states that establishing a new railway line between Consett and Newcastle would enhance access opportunities within the wider North East area, reduce the environmental impacts of existing road traffic and improve air quality.