The first branded hoardings are up along the Northumberland Line – with local children taking centre stage. 
 

Ashington Station, which marks the first (or last) stop on the new line, now has colourful scenes around the construction site, showing pupils from a nearby school holding up images of the line when it was last in use for passengers in the 1960s. 
 

The heritage images are from personal collections of former railway enthusiasts Malcolm Dunnett and Ken Groundwater who kindly made the pictures available for the project.  
 

Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “It is fantastic to see these hoardings starting to go up and it is only fitting they’re at what will be the gateway station for the project. 
 

“Bringing the community with us on this hugely ambitious project is key and we’re working with a number of schools and groups along the line to involve them. 
 

“It must be a proud moment for the pupils from The Dales School and all their families and friends to see them on our new signage. 

“It should also mean residents and visitors are in no doubt about the work that’s happening as we get closer to passenger services running once again.” 
 

Dales School Headteacher Dr Sue Fisher said: "Everyone at The Dales School is delighted to be involved in the Northumberland Line Arts Strategy.  
 

“Projects like this bring the community together, which is so important. Working together we will celebrate the new Northumberland line.  The children had such a great time working and looking at the old photos showing them how Northumberland has changed over the years." 
 

Ashington Central County Councillor Caroline Ball said: “It is great to see local children involved in the project and fantastic to see the hoardings in place around the Northumberland Line.  
 

“Every milestone like the hoardings going up is a step closer to the reopening of the line.” 
 

The Northumberland Line project is set to see new stations, deliver 18 miles of upgraded track, access improvements and new signal locations, and is due to be fully operational by early 2024. 
 

It's planned to run a half hourly passenger service between Newcastle and Ashington.