Electrification plans scrapped, strategic regional connections axed and partially reduced to single track – all catastrophic political mistakes from the bad old days. This former main line is now a leading candidate for the Government’s ‘Green Transport Revolution’.

Will this pandemic halt investment in projects such as BML2...? The answer is no.

BML2’s bid for funding was successfully submitted in mid-March by our sponsor, MP Maria Caulfield, with the support of fellow MPs and council leaders.

We are meeting all the DfT’s criteria, but the original timetable is partly on hold due to the global pandemic.

Significantly, BML2 Consultancy has re-opened communications with AECOM, a major international infrastructure engineering and environment company, with keen local interest in our scheme. AECOM is currently involved with councils promoting the Northumberland Line as part of the Restoring Your Railways Fund.

Additionally, in January, the DfT announced its programme to immediately start cutting CO2 emissions to zero and decarbonising UK rail by 2040 by eliminating harmful diesel traction. Grant Shapps said: “The faster we act, the greater the benefits.”

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