As of Sunday morning, on 17th May 2026, the petition has now reached 1426 signatures, up from 1187 just a week ago on Sunday 10th May 2026, a gain of 239 in just seven days. 

A massive thank you to all who've signed it so far, and please share it widely with friends and family, but also reach out to your local elected representatives if you'd like to see it go even further. I will be emailing Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council in the next couple of days, but if you can, please also email him with your support for the 'Northumberland Coast Loop rail service' if you can. 

Key info: The 'Northumberland Coast Loop' could offer a 50 minute journey time by train from Blyth to Berwick-Upon-Tweed and beyond, cutting the current journey time via Newcastle Central Station by as much as 40 minutes, and even beating the direct journey by car, or making a connection to rail services at Morpeth by bus. 

The route already exists, I have travelled on it personally aboard 'The Seven Counties Rambler' railtour on 8th March 2025, the final leg of this tour going from Newcastle to Edinburgh via Blyth, through Hepscott, then through Pegswood on the Saturday evening of this epic tour of Northern England and Southern Scotland, and is used regularly by the 'Alcan' train from North Blyth to Fort William too. 

The route is also cleared for units such as the LNER Azuma trains (Class 80x) should the line ever be needed for diversions, but regular use would mean train drivers would know the route better and maintain 'route knowledge' more easily, meaning less disruption should the route be needed in the future to maintain a connection between Newcastle and Edinburgh. 

Thanks again, and please keep sharing and getting more signatures added over the coming weeks and months!

Yours and kind regards, Ryan.