Our rail team worked collaboratively with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), to bring together a session that took attendees through the Northumberland Line Project (NLP). The event, titled ‘Learning from Regional Transformation’, was hosted by Dr Janet Young, ICE Director General, Olivia Perkins, managing director - rail, and Tony Lloyd, senior project manager - rail.
Key themes discussed:
- Refreshing and maintaining existing infrastructure
- Early contractor involvement and regional collaboration
- Stimulating economic growth and reducing traffic congestion
- How to scale and replicate successful initiatives
- The ICE’s mission is to provide evidence-based advice to the government and promote good practice in infrastructure delivery.
On the NLP tracks:
At the event, attendees stepped out of the Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers Edwardian lecture theatre and onto the platform of Newcastle Central Station, where they witnessed the remarkable NLP project firsthand and experienced the rail service in operation.
They alighted at Newsham Station after taking in Northumberland's landscapes and modern infrastructure, which now connects the communities. Here, the focus changed from the passenger experience to project insight. They viewed and discussed the engineering challenges that were overcome during construction—from the precise delivery of the station platform to the complex build of the highway overbridge.
It was a rare opportunity to see the results of years of planning and hard work, not just in slides but in person.
The real story is happening beyond the tracks
£20 million in Social Value
The project has delivered over £27.4 million in social value, smashing its original target of £12.7million.
That includes:
- 240 jobs and 11 apprenticeships ➔ 170 weeks of paid placements
- 4,000 hours of community work ➔ 98% positive
- STEM workshops and the innovative ‘Teachers Encounters’ programme. Informing the next generation of secondary school teachers about careers in rail and engineering.
A world is needed where infrastructure enables people and the planet to thrive…
Celebrating through photography
Another powerful way the story of the NLP has been shared is through the Connecting Communities: Northumberland Line a Photographic Journey. Attendees also got to experience this first-hand during the ICE event.
The travelling exhibition captures the people, heritage, and engineering behind the project. Bringing its impact to life through visuals.
Since April 2025, the exhibition has welcomed over 3,600 visitors, and is continuing to tour the region, offering a unique lens into the transformation taking place in the North East.
