This is Gunner cause problems
THERE will be no matchday Metros running between Newcastle and Gateshead for Newcastle United’s home match against Arsenal because of engineering works.
The Gunners had been due to face the Magpies on Saturday, but the game has been put back a day so that it can be screened live on Sky Sports.
The change means the match now clashes with Sunday’s planned engineering work on the Metro, when trains will not be running between Heworth and South Gosforth in either direction.
Match-goers will still be able to reach St James’ Park on trains from the coast, but they will not be running to Monument, Haymarket or Central station.
Nexus says extra trains are being laid on for the stretch between St James’ and Wallsend.
Replacement buses will also be running every five minutes but will be busier either side of the match, which kicks off at 1.30pm.
A Nexus spokesman said: “Anyone heading to the Newcastle United game on the Metro on Sunday should allow extra time for their journey to St James’ Park.
“This is due to the Metro line being closed between South Gosforth and Heworth to allow for essential modernisation work.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this may cause and urge fans to plan their journeys in advance and to allow enough time to get into Newcastle for the start of the game.
“An enhanced replacement bus service, number 900, will be in operation. These buses will depart from Regent Centre and from Heworth every five minutes.
“Extra buses are being provided in this area from 11am until 6pm.
“Additional Metro services will also be provided into Newcastle city centre via Wallsend for passengers heading in from the North Tyneside coastal areas.
“Newcastle United’s match against Arsenal was selected by Sky Sports for live TV in an announcement that was made on February 27.
“The game was moved from its original 3pm slot on Saturday 14 April to 1.30pm the following day, Sunday 15 April, so it now coincides with the planned Metro modernisation work which requires a line closure.
“Those works had already previously been moved from a scheduled date last October due to a clash with the Newcastle United game against Liverpool, which was also switched for television coverage.
“We are unable to postpone this work again. We have to carry out important work on signalling cables that are vital for the smooth running of Tyne and Wear Metro services.”
Below, Nexus has answered some of the key questions about the work
A spokesman said: “Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, has to carry out vital modernisation work on signalling cables to ensure the continued smooth running of the Metro.
“The work can only be carried out safely by closing the line between South Gosforth and Heworth all day on Sunday April 15.”
“Nexus is unable to move these works again. This is because we have to carry out vital repairs to signalling cables and our engineers do not want to postpone this again.
“This work was planned for last October but we opted to cancel it as Sky moved the Newcastle game against Liverpool for TV.
“Unfortunately the same issue has arisen and this time the advice from our technical experts is that we have to go ahead and carry out the planned work.
“We cannot just move the work to another weekend at short notice as we have a carefully mapped programme which sees most weekends booked out for a whole range of differing engineering schemes.
“The scale of the works means we are unable to do them overnight.”
“Sky Television have the rights to broadcast live Premier League games. On February 27 they informed Newcastle United that they were going to screen the club’s home game against Arsenal.
“This meant moving the game from a 3pm kick-off on Saturday to a 1.30pm kick-off on Sunday.
“This change occurred well after Nexus had allocated Sunday 15 April as the date to carry out the signalling works which require a one-day line closure between South Gosforth and Heworth.”
WHAT ARE THE METRO WORKS ON SUNDAY? WHY CAN’T THE WORK BE POSTPONED OR MOVED? HOW HAS THIS SITUATION COME ABOUT? WHAT SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED IN PLACE OF THE METRO BETWEEN SOUTH GOSFORTH AND HEWORTH?
“We will be providing an enhanced re placement bus service which will be operating between Heworth and Regent Centre. From 11am and 6pm buses will depart every five minutes. Buses will be busy so passengers are advised to allow plenty of time to get into the city centre.”
WHAT IF I AM TRAVELLING IN FROM THE COAST?
“Extra Metros will be provided on the coastal loop via Wallsend, so one option is to travel that way into town and alight at St James’ or Monument.”
HOW CAN I GET FURTHER INFORMATION?
“Customers can get information about the bus replacement service on our website: www.nexus.org. uk/metro/modernisation use the live travel map https://livemap. nexus.org.uk/ or by calling Nexus on 0191 20 20 747.
“Info will also be provided on our Twitter page: @My_Metro.”