Initiative​
The Northumberland Line is designed to stimulate economic growth, regeneration, and community development across Northumberland and the surrounding regions. The project will deliver new and improved transport links for local people and businesses, leaving a positive and lasting legacy.​

​Ashington Station, the first of six new stations constructed as part of the project, opened on 15 December 2024.

Implementation
Forte Engineering delivered the mechanical, electrical and telecoms installation for the single platform Ashington Station and car park, including the enabling civils works for a new HV/LV substation. ​

• Installation of over 2000 meters cabling to enable the infrastructure.
• Installation and commissioning of Station lighting and small power.
• Installation and commissioning of station SISS, working collaboratively with the Northern Rail IT team.
• Civils installation works to support the HV/LV substation within the car park boundary.

Expertise
Utilising our wealth of experience in the mechanical and electrical (M&E) sector, we worked closely with both the Principal Contractor and the Designer to ensure that construction and design were fully aligned. Our collaborative approach ensured that the resultant solution will stand the test of time. ​

​Our in-house M&E and civils team allowed for fluid communication between us, Morgan Sindall and the DNO provider to facilitate the new substation and downstream LV connection to Ashington Station.

Impact
Crowned Britain's most life-changing in the World Cup of Stations 2025, Ashington Station has:

• Provided passengers with a new connection to the rail network.
• Provided passengers with a modern, accessible environment, with the latest station technology.
• Helped to boost the region’s economy through improving access to jobs, a key driver for the scheme.

Social Value
Embedding sustainable and social value principles is integral to our approach. We achieved the following on this project:

• Resourcing 4 apprentices to work on this project, developing skills for the future.
• Working with Rail Safe Friendly, delivered rail safety education to local schools.
• Enabling commuters to include rail within their commute through the installation of EVCs, helping them to reduce their carbon footprint.