The DfT published its specifications for the new Northern & TransPennine Express franchises today. As far as Northern is concerned, the local service to Cramlington and Morpeth will be extended to run during the evenings, and a Sunday service will be added. Excellent news. But no requirement to extend services on to Pegswood and Widdrington, as SENRUG had also requested, which is disappointing. As for TransPennine Express, the DfT Press Release refers to these services being extended from Newcastle up to Edinburgh. Potentially good news if the trains will stop at Northumberland stations, but we can find no reference to the requirement in the franchise documents itself, which leaves me rather confused.
