After extensive efforts, Northumberland County Council has successfully obtained the Deed of Easement with Thompson’s, allowing them to establish and maintain a new highway surface water drainage system at Low Prudhoe.

This project involves installing drainage pipework through adjoining land owned by Thompson’s. Concurrently, Northumberland County Council has been in talks with Network Rail to gain their approval for parts of the drainage scheme that are near the Carlisle to Newcastle rail line. This includes excavations near their pedestrian overbridge and access for resurfacing works at the level crossing. While initially, they did not request additional engineering details, they later asked for detailed structural data, leading Northumberland County Council to hire a civil engineering consultancy for the job, which is currently underway.

Network Rail typically requires 16 weeks to review the information and grant consent, but the council is working to expedite the process. Considering Network Rail’s procedures and our scheduling needs, we anticipate that construction will likely commence in late summer or early autumn.

Once they secure Network Rail’s consent, they will promptly notify you of the confirmed works schedule.

Northumberland Labour’s County Councillor Angie Scott said: “I have collaborated closely with the officers to address this longstanding issue and find a resolution.”

“I am pleased to see that progress has begun and an agreement has been reached with the landowner. I look forward to this work being finalised.”