Travel warning for Metro passengers

CUSTOMERS FACE DISRUPTION OVER EASTER DUE TO FOUR-DAY MAJOR LINE CLOSURE

METRO users are urged to plan journeys well in advance over the Bank Holiday weekend when services will be disrupted and some of the busiest lines in the network will close for four days.

Work to modernise the tracks will be under way throughout the Easter break and is set to affect the busiest section of Metro line, with Central Station and two platforms at Monument being out of action.

Newcastle United fans travelling to tomorrow’s match against West Ham United, which kicks off at 12.30pm, are among those being warned to leave plenty time for their journey.

Metro operator Nexus is advising all travellers to plan well ahead over the long weekend, while a bus replacement bus service also will be in operation.

The major work is the second phase of a £3.4m track junction renewal project and will complete the segment in Metro’s city centre tunnels.

The area between Monument and Haymarket, known as the Prudhoe Street crossing and which has been refurbished in the past, is to be totally replaced; completing the renewal of rail in the tunnels under Newcastle, from Jesmond through to Gateshead.

While such work is normally carried out at night wherever possible, this final part is the most complex so requires lines to be closed, says Nexus.

During the March 29 to April 1 closure, buses will replace trains between Heworth and South Gosforth. Stuart Clarke, Metro infrastructure director, said the work will see a large section of track – a “key asset” – completely replaced. “This is the busiest junction on the Metro system, one which carries hundreds of Metro services every single day, and we need to ensure it is fit for purpose for many more years to come,” he said.

“We’re asking customers to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to make their journeys on Metro when the line is closed.”

Thanking people in advance for their patience, he said the weekend work has been “meticulously planned” to ensure the least disruption and added: “We have organised extra replacement buses to help customers get to where they need to be.”

During the four-day line closure, no Metro trains will stop at Monument platforms three or four so customers should use platforms at Manors or St James station instead.

Central Station will be fully closed during the work. A replacement bus, service number 900, will run between Heworth and South Gosforth in both directions.

This will continue from South Gosforth to Regent Centre to turn for the return trip.

A replacement bus timetable will have details of other stops.

Extra replacement buses will running tomorrow and there will be extra trains on the Metro heading into Newcastle from the North Tyneside coast via Wallsend.

Park and Ride for £1.20 will be available at Four Lane Ends and Northumberland Park for travel to St James via Whitley Bay.

Those in South Shields have the option by Shields Ferry to catching the Metro from North Shields to St James.

■ For more information, including details of The Soccer Bus available from Metrocentre and Park and Ride at Regent Centre go online to: www.nexus.org.uk

Metro track junction renewal works