The UK’s Department of Transport has designated the Tyne Valley Line between Newcastle and Carlisle as a community rail service.
Following a six-week consultation that ended in September, the new development will allow the community to build rail services in order to meet local needs.
Transport minister Baroness Kramer said: "This designation will secure the services that local people need as well as supporting social and economic development.
"It is vital to our long-term economic plan to build a world-class railway."
Northern Rail will continue its services in line with the help of the community rail partnership, which is supported by Northumberland County Council and the train operating companies.
Working with community groups and other volunteers, the partnership will plan the services in the line and will also generate funding for future projects.
Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership representative Gareth Evans said: "Official designation will give our line the formal recognition I sincerely believe it deserves, and provides the partnership with new opportunities to help us attract more people on to the services."
According to a research, every £1 invested in a community rail partnership will provide four times more benefits, such as better value for money, increased revenue, more community involvement and improved economic development.
Image: Northern Rail will continue to operate services on the Tyne Valley Line with the support of the community rail partnership. Photo: courtesy of the.aviation.expert.
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