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.

Northumberland Park Station, the fifth of six new stations constructed as part of the project, opened on 22 February 2026.

Implementation
Forte Engineering delivered the mechanical, electrical and telecoms installation for the single platform station, including:

• Installation of over 4000 meters cabling to enable the infrastructure.
• Installation and commissioning of Station lighting and small power.
• Installation and commissioning of SISS infrastructure supporting CCTV, PA, CIS, PHP, TVM, and PVAL systems.
• Testing and commissioning, including lux level testing to verify compliance with approved design and standards.

Expertise
The Northumberland Park Station programme faced challenges associated with mining remediation works. These were identified early as a major project risk due to the uncertainty in the number and extent of historic mine workings requiring treatment.

We worked with the Principal Contractor and Designer to adapt our programme to deliver fully integrated power and SISS systems within a live rail environment.

Comprehensive NICEIC and telecoms testing and commissioning ensured safe, compliant, and operationally resilient assets at handover.

Impact
Northumberland Park Station, which connects directly with the existing Tyne and Wear Metro network, 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:

• Employing 4 apprentices to work on this project, developing skills for the future.
• Working with Rail Safe Friendly, delivered rail safety education to local schools.
• Use of local labour and businesses as part of our supply chain.