Parliament is in summer recess and although it’s a real privilege to represent the people of Blyth Valley in Parliament and vote on new legislation I do get frustrated that I can’t always spend as much time in Blyth, Cramlington and Seaton Valley as I would like to. When I cross the Tyne Bridge on the train after a long gruelling session in Parliament, I feel a sense of excitement to be nearly home again. The summer recess gives me the chance to catch up with constituents, community groups and businesses.
A couple of examples so far include a visit to Cramlington Town FC to talk about the great work they do providing football for so many people, a meeting with directors of Jotron in Cramlington who manufacture state of the art communication products and systems for land, sea and air applications worldwide. I also spent a fascinating morning out on the bin wagons with a Northumberland County Council crew in Cramlington. Those guys work so hard and I’m definitely not cut out to do their job.
It was absolutely fantastic to be able to take a ride this week on the Northumberland Line, which is being re-opened to passenger rail services next year. We took the service from Newcastle, and were able to see the progress of the new stations being built in Bebside, Newsham, and Seaton Delaval. We also passed through Northumberland Park, where the line will interchange with the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The Northumberland Line stopped taking passengers in 1966, the year I was born, so I am immensely proud as the MP for Blyth Valley to see the line re-opening. Bringing these railway connections back will open endless opportunities for the people in Blyth and surrounding towns, making travel easier for local commuters, families and visitors to our fantastic area. It will also be a boost for business and create an economic corridor of opportunity alongside the line.
This project has been discussed for decades by previous MPs and Council administrations but it’s taken hard work by a Conservative MP, the Conservative administration at Northumberland County Council and a Conservative Government in Westminster all working together to develop the vision, make the case and secure the funding bring the line back to life after so many years. I can’t wait for the first passengers to begin using the service.
