Protect North Northumberland Rail Services
With Morpeth and Berwick set to lose out on key services and connections to Carlisle, London, Edinburgh and beyond with the upcoming timetable change, we’re campaigning for better.
We need a rail network for all.
The East Coast Main Line (ECML) will see its biggest timetable change in over a decade this December. Train operators and Network Rail have trumpeted the change as “more seats, faster journeys, and a better railway.” But for Northumberland’s communities, the fine print tells a very different story.
While major cities benefit from faster links and extra trains, Morpeth, Pegswood, Berwick-upon-Tweed and other North Northumberland Communities are set to lose out.
What’s Happening?
- Morpeth will lose all its off-peak London trains and the crucial morning direct service to Aberdeen.
- Berwick-upon-Tweed faces a cut of four daily services to and from London King’s Cross.
- Northern services will be curtailed, with all trains terminating at Newcastle — no more through services beyond.
- The first southbound LNER service from Morpeth will arrive in London later than before, making it harder for business travellers to reach morning meetings.
In total, key stations that serve as vital gateways for our county will suffer reduced connectivity, fewer direct trains, and longer, less convenient journeys. This will have big impacts for communters, business travellers, holidaymakers, and our cmmunities across North Northumberland
‘North Northumberland needs a rail revival. I want rail services that link communities in our constituency, and open up opportunities.’
-David Smith MP
Member of Parliament for North Northumberland
Big Cities Prioritised Again
Nationally, the changes will add 16,000 seats a day, but will shave only minutes off the London–Edinburgh run. The price is clear: smaller communities are being levelled down in order to level up journey times for the big cities.
For residents, this isn’t just about convenience. It’s about:
- Economic growth: Businesses need fast, reliable connections to London, Edinburgh and beyond.
- Accessibility: Older passengers and those with mobility issues rely on direct trains to avoid stressful changes.
- Supporting younger people: many young people rely on the train to travel into Newcastle and beyond for school, further or higher education. We should be offering more affordable, reliable connections, not fewer.
- Equity: Rural and peripheral communities should not have to sacrifice connectivity so that journey times between capital cities look better on paper.
Our Campaign
We cannot allow this to go unchallenged. Our campaign teams are out and about in Morpeth and Berwick, spreading the word and submitting petitions to stakeholders. Will you get involved?
We have a campaign weekend coming up on the 27th September. Leaflets and flyers are being circulated, and we’ll be out and about talking to residents and people travelling. Send us an email if you’d like to help out, at contact@nnorthumberlandlabour.org.uk.
Email LNER with your Objections
Copy the letter text below, and pop it in a message to LNER if you’d like to stand up for rail services in North Northumberland. You can use the buttons to help you.
David Horne,
Managing Director,
LNER,
West Office,
Station Rise,
York, YO1 6GA.
Dear Mr. Horne,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed cuts to LNER services at Morpeth and Berwick-upon-Tweed in the December 2025 timetable.
These stations are essential to our region. Reducing services will harm access to jobs, education and opportunities in Newcastle, Edinburgh and beyond. For many of us the train is not a luxury – it is a necessity.
Saving 20 minutes on a London journey should not come at the cost of isolating communities in Northumberland. We need more frequent and later stopping services between Newcastle and Edinburgh, not fewer.
This is a moment to power up the North, not pull it back. Strong rail links are vital for economic growth, social mobility and environmental sustainability.
Please reconsider these cuts and commit to a rail network that connects and supports all
communities.
Yours sincerely, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (Signature)
[Insert your Name and Address Here]
📧 Email LNER at: customers@lner.co.uk
