The Project Team finally concede the previous target date for the re-opening of “Summer 2024” will not be achieved and announce a new target month of December 2024. This will only be for the first phase of the opening and excludes Bedlington, Blyth-Bebside and Northumberland Park stations, all of which will follow later. A list of the various factors that have caused the delay is given. However the end of July and beginning of August sees a number of key milestones achieved such as the Newsham Road Bridge and Palmersville underpass being commissioned and the Blyth-Bebside pedestrian and cycle bridge from the station over the A189 Spine Road being installed, so final completion is clearly getting closer. Revised total project cost stated as £298.5m
