Metros every 10 minutes on way
METRO improvement plans that promise to make trains more frequent and cut journey times have moved one step closer after the construction contract was signed.
Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd has won the £55 million tender for the construction stage of the Metro Flow project, which will see an existing freight line upgraded and electrified in South Tyneside.
The project will see three “key sections”, totalling three kilometres, between Pelaw and Bede stations dualled.
Currently these are single-track sections where trains must use the same line in both directions. Transport bosses said the scheme will improve reliability on the network, and outside of central areas the frequency of trains will increase to one every 10 minutes. Metro operator Nexus said the work, which is expected to take place between September and December 2022, will allow an extra 24,000 Metro passenger journeys every day. Martin Kearney, chief operating officer at Nexus, said: “This will increase the frequency of Metro services system-wide from 12 minutes to 10 minutes outside of the central areas. “For our passengers this means more regular services, and faster journey times.
“This project also gives us the scope to examine future opportunities to expand the network to other areas not served by Metro.”
Coun Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said the project would be “transformational” for passengers.
He added: “More services will be able to run across the entire Metro system, showing just how critical investment in transport is to the future success of our region.
“Increased frequency on our system means we can help more and more people move efficiently across our network to access work, leisure and education in a green, sustainable way.
“This project will make a huge difference to thousands of journeys every day – hopefully encouraging more people out of their car and on to public transport.”
The Buckingham Group recently completed the work on the new temporary Metro depot at Howdon in North Tyneside.
Rob Harwood, rail contracts director at Buckingham Group, said: “Having completed the construction of the Howdon depot for Nexus in 2020, we are now able to continue working with Nexus and involving the supply chain in the region on this exciting project.
“We will also work with the community to minimise any inconvenience and involve schools and colleges in the educational benefits from a significant project in their area.
“The first phase will be detailed design this year and then mobilise for the construction phase early next year.”