Professional Documents
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Hartlepool
What is Bernician Railways?
"Local rail brings huge economic and social benefits to the communities
it reaches today, but we need to extend those benefits into new areas."
Though rich in railway heritage, mistakes by past governments have led to the
dismantling of the norths once-dense rail network. This has been a major factor
in the growth of inequality in the UK; where today London receives 1,943 per
head in transportation spending, the North East receives only 200.
A car has become a necessity for many in the north merely to live their lives.
This lack of access to efficient public transport is a key factor in creating areas of
deprivation and generational unemployment, not to mention the environmental
impact of forcing so many onto the road.
The 3.1 million people of the North East & Cumbria deserve better.
It is our hope that by improving transportation across the region we can create
a region-wide job market, accessible to all. Via tapping into these economies of
agglomeration we will contribute towards transforming the region from one of
the most deprived in Europe into a thriving modern economy.
Bernician Railways aims to transform the economic geography of the region,
efficiently allowing the disparate economies of our varied cities, towns, and
villages to begin to operate as a single integrated whole.
The following document provides an outline of our plans for rail transport in the
North East & Cumbria over the decades to come.
The plan outlined in this document may seem radical to some, however what
it proposes is nothing unusual. Already similar integrated railway systems
exist in regions such as ours across Europe and the world at large.
For further information about the plan will affect your area, contact the office of
your local MP or MEP.
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Table of Contents
Introduction
1: What is Bernician Railways?
2: Table of Contents/About Bernician Railways
3: High Speed 2 & Bernician Railways
4: High Speed 2 Stations
5: Classes of Train
6: Project Timelines
Planned Services
7: Trans-Regional
8: Tees Valley, Hartlepool, and Bishop Auckland
9: Southern Northumberland
10: Sunderland
11: Western Newcastle & Gateshead
12: Integration of Existing Routes
Summary
13: Possible Future Extensions
15: Further Notes on Services
16: North East Complete Network
Bernician Railways area of responsibility in the North East covers local rail transport in
an area stretching from Berwick in the north to the Tees Valley City Region in the south.
Some BR trains will continue to Northallerton and York, likewise some local trains from
Yorkshire will terminate in Middlesbrough.
In Cumbria, responsibility is planned to be split. BR will operate the Tyne Valley Line
and the Cumbrian Coast Line. Other routes in Cumbria will fall under the responsibility of
Lancashire Rail, with Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle standing as the two stations served
by both.
Cross-over with Scottish local services will take place at Berwick and Carlisle, whilst
other operators will continue to serve our region with long distance services.
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High Speed 2 & Bernician Railways
Bernician Railways is unaffiliated
with High Speed 2 Limited.
We however fully support
the HS2 project and see its aims
as tightly aligned with our own.
As such BR will seek to build a
close working relationship with
HS2 Ltd during which we will
aim to coordinate our
complementary projects.
Further, we find it very worrying that current discussions about the route to Scotland
favour a western alignment. Our studies lead us to strongly believe that the best value
for money and quality of service will be obtained by routing HS2 via the north east,
linking the vital economic centres of Tyne & Wear and the Tees Valley to the
Scottish Central Belt, the major cities of Englands Liverpool-Hull belt, the Midlands,
and London.
Bernician Railways also strongly supports proposals for a HS3 link between Liverpool and
Hull. This, combined with our proposed eastern alignment of HS2 would serve to connect
all of northern Britains major cities, providing a massive boon to economic development.
It is our fondest hope that HS2 and HS3 will be completed on an expedited timetable.
Alongside projects such as BR providing major local infrastructure improvements, these
improvements will help to create a United Kingdom which is more prosperous for all.
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High Speed 2 Stations
In the North East we support the construction of two stations.
Teeside Airport: Current plans for the Tees Valley HS2 Station call for a parkway
station between the Darlington and Teeside urban areas.
We feel, after a cost benefits analysis taking into account other plans for the area, that a
logical modification to these plans is locating this parkway station at Durham Tees Valley/
Teeside Airport. This can be completed along with the relocation of the Teeside Airport station
on the Tees Valley Line and other in development projects to revitalise the airport.
Tyneside: There are two possibilities for Tynesides HS2 Station, shown on the map below.
This map also shows existing railway and metro lines, as well as our preferred route of HS2
around the banks of the Tyne.
The first possibility(purple), requiring less disruption, is for a pass-through station located on
the Tyne Valley line in the vicinity of the Metro Centre (left-yellow).
The second (red), which will involve more disruption though provide a higher ROI, is for the
station to be west of Newcastle Central Station (grey), in the current vicinity of the
Metro Radio Arena (right-yellow).
Image Source:
Google Earth
In addition to services to these two purpose-built HSR stations, we also support HS2 Ltds
plans to offer Classic-compatible services. In the North East this will involve trains from
the south splitting at Teeside Airport. The main part of the train will continue on to Tyneside
and Scotland, whilst the smaller rear of the train will use pre-existing lines to continue to
Durham, and via a reconstructed Leamside and YN&BR Line, Sunderland.
Bernician Railways holds contingency plans in case High Speed 2 does not expand to the
North East, however the plan outlined in this document is working to the assumption that
this logical alteration to HS2 goes ahead. We are also assuming the selection of our
favoured Newcastle City Centre (red) location for the Tyneside HS Station.
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Classes of Train
Local (L)
Trains running to a regular clockface
schedule that stop at all stations along
their route.
It is planned that BRs Local trains will
form the backbone of public transport
in the north east.
A Local train operating on the Salzburg S-Bahn.
S-Trains are common across Europe.
Express (E)
Largely running on the same routes
as Local trains. Express trains will
only stop at a limited number of
stations, providing rapid service
between the regions major centres.
An Express train operating to a clockface schedule
in Switzerland.
Metro (M)
The existing Tyne & Wear Metro will
be incorporated into the BR network.
The distinguishing feature of Metro
trains is that they stop at separate
underground platforms at
Newcastle Central and Manors.
The Yellow and Green Lines of the Tyne & Wear Metro
are the beginnings of our new network.
It is our hope that these two initiatives to improve ease of use will greatly contribute to
increased ridership across the network.
5
Project Timelines
The development of Bernician Railways is split into three key phases, followed by a
broader Phase 4 incorporating all potential future projects.
Initial surveys and cost benefits analysis for Phases 1 and 2 have been completed,
with completion of Phase 3 pending coordination with HS2 Ltd.
More detailed project planning and budgeting is currently in the early stages and is
subject to change, however the Phases broadly outlined are:
Phase 1
Phase 1 contains short term improvements that we aim to implement within a
5-year time period.
Phase 1 changes are largely organisational in nature, new construction with
some small exceptions, is limited to new stations on existing tracks.
Though construction will be kept to a minimum, via timetable changes and
service improvements we can begin to have a significant impact.
Phase 2
Phase 2 of the project takes place over a slightly longer 5-15 year period.
This is the largest individual phase of the project, during this period the
network will begin to take shape with start of most of our major construction
projects.
Phase 3
Until plans for HS2 in the North East are finalised, much of Phase 3 remains
subject to change.
Timescales for Phase 3 are for longer than 15 years and the projects here
can be divided into those that continue what was started in Phase 2, and those
that seek to take advantage of the newly freed up capacity that HS2 will
introduce on existing lines.
Phase 4
Phase 4 is not a true phase in itself, rather this is a collection of projects which
have been considered and do not currently pass a cost-benefits-analysis based
on the current situation. We believe that there may be merit in several of these
projects once the network is up and running however.
Phase 4 projects will be examined individually during Phase 2 and Phase 3 and
another decision made on their viability.
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Trans-Regional
Limited service begins with Phase 1, gradual transition to full service in Phase 3 as
HS2 services take over from East Coast Mainline intercity services.
Further services into North Yorkshire; the Middlesbrough-Northallerton-York connection,
and the Esk Valley Line beyond Nunthorpe, will be handled by Yorkshire Rail.
Belmont
Heworth
Langley Aycliffe
Chester- Durham Moor Village Darlington
Bensham Birtley le-Street
York
Newcastle
Low Fell Barley Mow Newton Hall Nevilles Ferryhill Harrowgate Northallerton
Cross Hill
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Tees Valley, Hartlepool,
and Bishop Auckland
Seaton
Roseworth Billingham Carew
West View
North Queens Hartlepool
Norton Meadow
Stockton
Shildon Heighington Darlington Dinsdale Allens Preston Teeside South Redcar Longbeck Saltburn
West Farm Middlesbrough Bank Central
Park
Grove Hill
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Southern Northumberland
9
Sunderland
L3:Washington Line
Rather than following the simple plan of reopening the Leamside Line on the eastern
fringe of Washington, we will instead construct a new line through the centre of
Washington; largely following the right of way of major roads.
Phase 1: Direct Metro service between South Shields and South Hylton with new
station at Biddick Hall.
Phase 2: Restoration of line from Sunderland to new station at Penshaw.
Phase 3: New line built through Washington largely along path of A182. New stations at
Fatfield, Lambton, and Washington Galleries.
Phase 3: New line proceeds north west to join East Coast Mainline near A1. New stations
constructed in Washington, Birtley and Gateshead. Termination at Newcastle Central.
South Shields
Chichester
Tyne Dock
Newcastle
Gateshead Heworth Pelaw Biddick Hall
Bensham
Seaburn
St.Peters
Low Fell
Sunderland
University
Chowdene
Washington South Park Lane
Northside Galleries Fatfield Hylton Millfield
Eden Vale
Angel Blackfell Lambton Penshaw Pallion
Premier Road
Newbottle Farringdon
Houghton
-le-Spring
Hetton-le-Hole Doxford Silksworth
Park
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Western Newcastle & Gateshead
M1: Tyneside Line
The most extensive construction of the Bernician Railways Project.
The Tyne & Wear Metro Yellow Line renamed the Tyneside Line (M1).
Cut & cover extension constructed up the West Road to the west end of Newcastle.
Phase 1: Extension of line beyond St. James to new Science Park Station.
Phase 2: Beginning of construction on West Road to General Hospital and Fenham.
Phase 3: Expansion to Denton and Lemington.
Phase 4: Possibility for further extension as part of a new development in Walbottle.
Other work to M1 will include reconstruction and relocation of Benton, Percy Main and
Northumberland Park (Backworth) to allow interchange with new lines.
Airport
Ponteland
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Integration of Existing Routes
L31/E31: Northumberland Line
Improved local service on the East Coast Mainline between Newcastle and Berwick.
Phase 2: More regular stops at smaller stations on existing services.
Phase 3: With opening of HS2 East Coast Mainline extensive increase in local services.
Phase 3: Several new stations built at Tweedmouth, Beal (for Lindisfarne), Belford,
Longhougton and Stannington.
L31: Local service stopping at all stations between Berwick and Cramlington;
additional stops at Benton, Manors, Chillingham Road and Newcastle Central.
E31: Express service stopping at Berwick, Alnmouth, Widdrington, Morpeth,
Cramlington, Manors and Newcastle Central.
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Phase 4; Possible Future Extensions
Bernician Railways has also analysed a number of projects for which the
cost-benefits-analysis does not currently allow for construction.
These projects differ wildly in cost, scope and likelihood of one day going ahead,
however these possibilities are all included here for completeness.
Tees Tunnel
Studies are currently underway into the possibility of a new crossing of the Tees, built
near the mouth of the river. Consideration has been given to various combinations of
road, rail and pedestrian bridges.
Such a project would be linked with further investment into the redevelopment of
industrial areas around the east of the river.
If constructed this crossing would drastically cut the journey time between Hartlepool
and Redcar, eliminating the need to travel via existing crossings in Stockton and
Middlesbrough. This would also have positive effects in reducing congestion and
pollution.
Envisioned services call for a South Shields-Sunderland-Hartlepool-Redcar-
Middlesbrough Durham Coast Line, possibly extending to Darlington and Teeside
Airport.
13
Phase 4; Possible Future Extensions
L3: Shields Tunnel
Plans are currently being drawn up for further studies into the feasibility of a rail
tunnel between North and South Shields.
If this project goes ahead the most likely service pattern would be to replace the
Shields Ferry with an extension of the L3 Washington Line, across the Tyne to
Whitley Bay or Backworth.
Another possibility, assuming best-case economic development forecasts prove accurate,
is for a coastal route, starting in Ashington, and running via North Shields,
South Shields, Sunderland, and Hartlepool, to Middlesbrough.
Carlisle Metro
Though current plans call for West Coast Mainline services to be outside of
Bernician Railways control, we hope that after the opening of HS2 flexibility can be
found in this, allowing for enhanced local service across the Carlisle area.
Envisioned service will run from Penrith in the south, via the new St. Cuthberts
development and Carlisle city centre, to Gretna Green, just over the Scottish Border.
14
Further Notes on Services
Through-Running
Given the number of routes terminating in the central hub of
Newcastle Central Station, the following through-services will frequently operate:
L41/E41, Tyne Valley Line to L14/E14, Durham Coast Line.
L41/E41, Tyne Valley Line to L31/E31, Northumberland Line.
L11/E11, Darlington Line to L31/E31, Northumberland Line.
L12/E12, Middlesbrough Line to L31/E31, Northumberland Line.
L3, Washington Line to L36, Wansbeck Line.
These connections will as much as possible run to a regular schedule.
Peak-times particularly will see many through-trains running.
Cycling
The environment is a significant motivating factor in
the Bernician Railways project, as such we will also
seek to closely align with local government strategies
to improve cycling.
Availability of bicycle storage to be a key factor in
choice of rolling stock.
Low additional costs for taking a bike on a train.
Bicycle storage to be provided at all stations.
Copenhagen biketrain.
Busses
Concurrent with the Bernician Railways project, plans
are also in place to establish a cross-council body to
manage busses in the area along a similar model to
London Busses.
Ticketing between bus and rail services will operate on
a unified structure with tickets transferable between the
two modes of transport.
Where possible efforts will also be made to align the
timetables of bus and train routes.
Haymarket Station
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North East
Berwick
Beal
Belford
Chathill
Longhoughton
Stannington Pegswood Widdrington Alnmouth
Morpeth Acklington
Ashington
Southfield Bedlington
Ponteland Dudley
Blyth
Camperdown
Newcastle Seaton Delaval
Airport
West Moor
Seghill
Callerton Forest Hall
Parkway
Bank Regent West
Foot Fawdon Centre Longbenton Backworth Monkseaton
Benton
Kingston Wansbeck Four Palmersville Shiremoor
Park Road Lane Ends Monkseaton
West Allotment
South Gosforth
Whitley Bay
Hadrian Lodge
Ilford Road Cobalt
Walbottle Cullercoats
West Jesmond
Silverlink
Benfield Beach Road
Lemington Jesmond
Manors Chillingham
Scotswood Road Tyne South
Bede Dock Shields
Newcastle
Elswick
Simonside
Jarrow Chichester
Redheugh
Biddick Hall
Ryton Blaydon Bensham Gateshead
Hebburn
Metro Centre Heworth
Gateshead
Tyne Valley Line Stella Saltwell Stadium
To Carlisle Riverside Dunston Brockley Whins
Park
St. Peters
Lambton
Chester-le-Street
Sunderland
Fence Fatfield
Belmont Houses
Newton Hall
Leamside South Hylton Millfield Park Lane
Shiney
Row Hendon
Pallion
Penshaw
University
Durham Eden Vale Grangetown
Premier Road
Ryhope
Silksworth
Nevilles Cross
Farringdon
Seaham
Doxford Park
Langley Moor
Horden
North Seaton West
Ferryhill
Norton Carew View
James Cook
University Hospital Marske
York
Marton Nunthorpe
Saltburn
Gypsy Nunthorpe
16 Lane Parkway