This consultation followed initial proposals to build an underpass close to the crossing’s current location, to provide an alternative route across the railway line. Plans for the underpass were paused following concerns about anti-social behaviour raised by local residents and stakeholders, and the project team considered a number of other options.
These options – closure with no replacement, and a ramped or stepped bridge close to the crossing’s current location – were presented alongside the underpass as part of this consultation. More than 200 responses were received, with a majority supporting closure with no replacement. Key concerns raised about the other options included anti-social behaviour, disturbance to and intrusion into neighbouring properties and cost of construction.
The Northumberland Line project team is now proceeding with plans to close the crossing with no replacement.
This consultation is seeking feedback on the proposed closure of Hospital Level Crossing, which has to close on safety grounds prior to the introduction of faster and more frequent passenger trains. The consultation is being undertaken jointly by Northumberland County Council and Network Rail as part of the proposals for the Northumberland Line project.
An introduction to the Northumberland Line and Hospital Level Crossing is below. To read about and have your say on the proposals, click on the 'Online Survey' button at the bottom of this page.
What is the Northumberland Line?
The Northumberland Line will bring passenger trains back into service between Ashington and Newcastle. It is a priority of both Northumberland County Council and is supported by a number of key project partners, including the Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail, Transport for the North (TfN), Nexus and Northern Trains Limited, North Tyneside Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council.
The Northumberland Line aims to stimulate and support economic growth, regeneration and community development in Northumberland and the surrounding regions by providing new and improved transport links for local people and businesses. By doing so, the scheme will:
The project will provide six new stations at Ashington, Blyth Bebside, Bedlington, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park, with journeys between Newcastle and Ashington taking about 35 minutes with no need to change trains. The station at Northumberland Park will be adjacent to the existing Tyne and Wear Metro station, bringing further opportunities for interchange and travel to other destinations, including on the Metro. We are exploring options for integrated ticketing between the two services.
Map of the Northumberland Line
At Newcastle station it is anticipated that Northumberland Line trains will run into platform one, with easy access to the city centre, Tyne and Wear Metro and national rail connections.
The freight trains that currently use the railway will still be able to do so, helping support the economic aspirations of both Lynemouth Power Station and the Port of Blyth.
Where is Hospital Level Crossing?
Hospital Level Crossing is located near the former Ashington Station and carries a recorded public footpath. It connects Chillingham Crescent on the west to Roseneath Court on the east and can be accessed via concrete ramps on the railway embankments. At present, there are no barriers or lights to indicate when it is safe to cross. Users are responsible for their own safety and must ‘stop, look and listen’ for an approaching train and judge whether is it safe to cross.
The level crossing was provided to accommodate a footpath when the railway was first constructed over 150 years ago, when the surrounding area was countryside. It was named “Hospital Level Crossing” due to the proximity of the hospital that used to stand to the east of the railway, and has continued to be called this despite the fact the hospital no longer exists.
Location of the crossing
View of the crossing looking west
Why does it need to be closed?
Once the passenger service on the Northumberland Line starts operation, the risks to users of the existing crossing will become too great to keep it open. This is due to:
Background to the proposed closure
The closure of the crossing, and potential alternatives for crossing the railway, have been under consideration since 2018. Key activities since 2019 are summarised in the table below.
Date |
Action |
September and October 2019 |
Consultation for the wider Northumberland Line project took place. |
November and December 2020 |
|
May 2021 |
An application for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) was made to the Secretary of State. Amongst other matters, this sought authorisation for the closure of the existing level crossing and the diversion of the existing public right of way through a new underpass. |
September 2021 |
A planning application was submitted for a new underpass to replace Hospital Level Crossing. |
Significant objections were received in response to the TWAO and planning applications, with many local residents concerned about anti-social behaviour associated with the proposed underpass. |
|
In response to these objections it was agreed that options for Hospital Level Crossing would be revisited before deciding whether or not to progress with the underpass proposals. This consultation is a key part of that process. |
Options we are consulting on
The footpath over the level crossing is a public right of way and cannot be permanently closed without obtaining legal powers to do so. There are two ways of doing this.
Based on the work carried out to date, there are four possible options.
Our preferred solution is closure with no replacement. This preference takes into account the views expressed by local residents and other stakeholders at the recent Inquiry into the TWAO application and in response to the planning application for an underpass. However, we would like to understand views on all of the options before deciding which to pursue.
Therefore, this consultation is seeking feedback on the intended closure of Hospital Level Crossing, and the following sections take you through our considerations for each of the options noted above. Click on the 'Online Survey' button below to progress through them and complete our feedback form.
You are also invited to attend a drop in session on Tuesday 17 May 2022 at YMCA Northumberland, North View, NE63 9XQ, between 2pm and 7:30pm.
The consultation closes at 11.59pm on 31 May 2022.
Find us in the main hall at
YMCA Ashington
North View
Ashington
Northumberland
NE63 9XQ
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