£46M MAKEOVER
WORK DONE ON WEEKENDS OVER TWO YEARS
NEXUS is planning to pump £46m into Metro infrastructure over the next two years in a bid to improve the network.
The public body is ramping up its modernisation programme in the months leading up to the roll-out of new trains.
It’s part of an investment drive which started in 2010 and has seen £350m spent on improving stations, tracks and overhead lines.
Nexus also confirmed they are in talks with Whitehall to secure more capital funding for works post-2021.
Metro bosses have warned it will mean a lot of weekend line closures but insist it will be worth it in the long run. The 2019 works are expected to include: l Replacement of two Metro bridges in North Tyneside l Track replacement work between Gateshead Stadium and Pelaw l New rails for the Metro tunnels between the QEII Metro bridge and Gateshead Stadium l Overhead line renewals between Chillingham Road and Tynemouth and South Gosforth and Jesmond. l Station modernisation work will be completed at West Monkseaton, Cullercoats, Monkseaton, Shiremoor, Palmersville, Benton, and Longbenton
Firm dates are yet to be set for most of the work but the majority will take place on Saturdays and Sunday, minimising disruption for commuters.
Beyond March 2021, the future of the funding for Metro improvements is in doubt but lobbying efforts are already under way for more cash. Councillor Gladys Hobson, chair of the North East Combined Authority’s Tyne and Wear Transport sub-committee, has written to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to raise the matter. Tobyn Hughes, managing director of Nexus, said: “Our Metro all change investment programme has £46m going into modernisation to ensure that we have a Tyne and Wear Metro system for many more decades to come.
“Works will focus on the renewals of tracks, overhead lines and other vital pieces of Metro’s infrastructure.
“Over the last nine years we have invested close to £300m in Metro to secure its long-term future.
“This is on top of the funding we have secured to buy a new fleet of trains, a project that will allow us to deliver greater reliability and comfort to our customers.
“Modernisation work brings disruption and I’m grateful to our customers for their patience. This year there will be a lot of weekend line closures while we carry out works and when that occurs we will have frequent replacement buses running.”
Five companies are competing for a £500m project to build new Metros to replace the 39-year-old rolling stock. Passengers should start seeing new trains being gradually introduced in 2021. This year will also see the opening of a £9.8m learning centre and £21m interchange in South Shields.
Works will focus on the renewals of tracks, overhead lines and other vital pieces of Metro’s infrastructure