Ian Lavery MP and Caroline Ball – World Cup Winner Ashington

  When Ashington Station reopened in December 2024, having been closed as part of the Beeching cuts, the impact of the railway on this north east town has been more than ever imagined, it has been described as life changing for the community. The town was home to World Cup winners Jack and Bobby Charlton, along with fellow footballer Jackie Milburn. Cricketers Steve Harmison and Mark Wood are also from the town and are reflected in the station's design. So when it was shortlisted for the Rail Delivery Group’s World Cup of Stations as part of the Railway 200 celebrations, hopes were high. As County Councillor Caroline Ball and Ian Lavery MP describe in this Great Rail Tale, lifting the World Cup of Stations trophy shows how investing in stations like Ashington can transform lives, linking people to opportunity, pride and possibility in the north east of England.