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Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
Six individuals posing for a group photo on a train platform next to a stationary train.

The Northumberland Line Project: Welcoming the ICE Director General to the North East

• Rail • 3 min read

One topic that comes up frequently in our industry is the power of sharing project learning, and that is exactly what our team working on the Northumberland Line Project (NLP) did.

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 first hand 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.

Tony Lloyd, senior project manager – rail
Audience clapping inside a wood-paneled auditorium during an event or presentation.
Attendees listening attentively during an indoor event; one woman dressed formally in the foreground, another in a plaid dress.
Person standing next to a banner reading "ICE - The home of infrastructure," describing the Institution of Civil Engineers' mission.
Inside a train carriage, people seated at tables and chairs engaged in conversation or observing surroundings.
Six individuals posing for a group photo on a train platform in front of a white and blue train. The platform includes yellow tactile paving for safety.
Person seated on a modern train with blue seats featuring black polka dots and yellow handles, looking out the window. Rows of similar seats extend into the background.

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…

Janet Young, Director General of ICE

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. 

Person viewing an informational display board titled "Morgan Sindall Infrastructure," featuring images of workers in orange safety gear and project details.
Two individuals reading a display board about the Northumberland Line project, which outlines plans for six stations and 18 miles of track to boost regional transport and economy.
Group of people reviewing display boards detailing Morgan Sindall infrastructure projects, including historical context about Northumberland Park and local railway developments.
Two people examining multiple display boards about Morgan Sindall Infrastructure projects, including one titled "Northumberland Park," with images and historical information.

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