two to one trains per hour and dropping the proposed Blyth Bebside station from initial project scope (although the latter option was later publicly ruled out by Minister for Railways Chris Heaton-Harris). Northumberland County Council submitted a Transport and Works Act Order application to the Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps on 26 May 2021, under which they would be conferred certain additional powers deemed necessary for the new stations to be constructed and the line upgraded to carry regular passenger services. It is anticipated that the main construction phase might begin as early as June 2022, enabling an opening date in 2024. Layout and platforms The station has 12 surface-level platforms, served by heavy rail services, with a further two sub-surface platforms served by the Tyne & Wear Metro network. Platform 1: A bay platform facing east, serving terminating Northern Trains services from the East Coast Main Line. Following the May 2019 timetable change, this platform is used less frequently, as most Northern Trains services from Morpeth now continue west along the Tyne Valley Line. Platform 2: The main through platform for CrossCountry and LNER services heading north along the East Coast Main Line towards Edinburgh Waverley. Platforms 3 & 4: The main through platforms for CrossCountry services heading towards Sheffield, Birmingham New Street, the South East and the South Coast, and LNER services heading south along the East Coast Main Line towards London King's Cross. These platforms are also (less frequently) used by services heading north along the East Coast Main Line, as well as by services terminating at Newcastle. Platforms 5–8: The four platforms all share the newer island platform, mainly used by Northern Trains services heading west along the Tyne Valley Line towards Hexham and Carlisle, and east along the Durham Coast Line towards Sunderland, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. Platforms 9–12: Four bay terminal platforms facing west. Platforms 9 & 10 are used by TransPennine Express services towards Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street, as well as some Northern Trains services heading west along the Tyne Valley Line. Platform 11 is mainly used by CrossCountry services towards Birmingham New Street, the South East and the South Coast. Platform 12 is mainly used by CrossCountry services terminating at Newcastle. Station redevelopment Plans were revealed on 30 April 2013 for a major redevelopment, including an £8.6million project to regenerate the inside of the station, and a further £11.4million