The Lambton Waggonway branch from Bournmoor to the Charles Pit was first instituted around the 1890s to connected the wider Lambton network from Sunderland to Charles Pit. This in turn connected to Great Lumley & the Lumley West Pit via a tramway, the Harbour Waggonway to the old Harbour Pit on the Wear, and various other workings along the route. There was also a southern branch to Cocken Colliery which led over Cocken Ride. Overall, there were at least 6 collieries this waggonway connected.

It was certainly rope hauled as maps evidence the used of engines along the route. There was at least two engines at Pea Flatts as well as on the hills at the George Pit, which would haul ropes up the inclines and they would have been brought back down via gravity and brakes.

The network closed procedurally from the mid 19th century to the turn of the 20th century. First, the connection to the Charles Pit and the Harbour Waggonway closed in the 1840s. The Cocken Colliery branch and the small West Pit branch closed by the 1890s, and the whole network was dismantled by the 1910s.

There are however very visible remains throughout. On the north eastern end, the line can still be seen as field boundaries and can be traversed on public bridleways. Though the A1 has severed the earthworks, the section to George Pit is very clear. The tramway to Great Lumley from the Charles Pit cottages is also still clearly visible.

WALKABILITY: ★★☆☆☆

Though a lot of the waggonway is visible, only a small section can be traversed with sections severed by the construction of the A1 and another re-landscaped for pasture. The remaining section however is pleasant, and links to an enjoyable walk to Cocken or Great Lumley.