£8.6M has been pledged by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness to develop a business case for re-opening the historic Leamside Line as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro.
- The Leamside Line once connected various regions between Gateshead and Durham, but closed for passenger services six decades ago.
- Re-opening this line is seen as a crucial step for economic growth, supported by local authorities, politicians, and communities alike, but remains without full funding.
- The project is ambitiously divided into three phases, starting with the Washington Metro Loop, with expectations of major economic benefits.
- Council leaders and Nexus emphasise the transformative potential of the project for transport, employment, and connectivity in the region.
In a move anticipated to reinvigorate the transportation infrastructure in the North East, Mayor Kim McGuinness confirmed an £8.6M pledge for the Leamside Line’s re-opening business case. She emphasised the reopening as her top priority due to its potential to enhance the Tyne and Wear Metro, particularly through an extension to Washington. Historically, the Leamside Line was a key railway, linking Pelaw with locations like Washington and Durham before its closure to passenger services over sixty years ago.
Neca labels the Leamside Line as the ‘most important piece of transport infrastructure’ for the region’s economic future. The northern segment will form the Washington Metro Loop, crucial for linking metro extensions to Washington, and is part of an intricate three-phase plan to revitalise the line.
The proposed phases include the initial Washington Metro Loop, followed by Leamside South, and finally, Ferryhill Station’s connection in County Durham. The comprehensive project, estimated at £745M by Transport North East, aims to provide necessary connectivity enhancements and alleviate congestion on the national rail network.
As laid out by Neca, the £8M from the allocated funds will develop an outline for the Washington Metro Loop’s business case, detailing potential stops, economic impact, and estimated costs. This critical development phase will conclude by 2026. Additionally, £600,000 is reserved for a strategic outline case for the Leamside South section, with all expenditures pending cabinet approval.
The strategic importance of this project is outlined by its economic projections, with estimations suggesting that the Washington Metro Loop could bring in economic benefits worth £90M annually. It is projected to avert 1.7M car journeys and cut down carbon emissions by 87,000 tonnes each year. Labour leaders, alongside transport officials, are collectively pushing for the initiative, noting its significance in diversifying regional transport and expanding opportunities.
Cathy Massarella of Nexus highlighted the profound impact the project could have on local opportunities, stating that the Washington Metro Loop will significantly improve access to jobs, education, and leisure for residents. The project, hailed as transformative by local politicians, has garnered unified support, emphasising its foundational role in fostering connectivity and economic growth.
Mayor McGuinness has critiqued past governmental inadequacies in funding regional infrastructure, declaring her determination to secure necessary resources to revive the Leamside Line. She underscored her administration’s resolve to build an environmentally sustainable and well-connected transport network. The mayor stressed the urgency of following through on detailed business cases and securing both local and national funding to meet the region’s connectivity requirements.
Re-establishing the Leamside Line is pivotal for regional connectivity and economic revitalisation, seeking united political and community support.
