Storm Malik causes Tyne & Wear Metro disruption
A MAJOR operation was launched following damage caused to the Tyne & Wear Metro system by Storm Malik.
Metro operator Nexus said there had been a “vast quantity” of repairs to complete following the storm, which prompted the complete closure of the network on Saturday, January 29.
As well as dealing with fallen trees and debris on the tracks, stretches of overhead power lines were brought down or damaged.
Most of the system was back in operation by the morning of Monday, January 31, with services resuming between Benton and Monkseaton on the Tuesday afternoon after repairs to overhead line damage west of Northumberland Park station, carried out in a joint effort with Network Rail due to the route’s proximity to the heavy rail line from Benton North Junction.
■ Public ‘drop-in’ sessions have been held to give people further information about work which will take place in the coming months on the Metro route between Pelaw and South Shields. It will be completely closed for 12 weeks (September 12-December 3) for the main phase infrastructure work on the £103 million ‘Metro Flow’ project which involves dualling three stretches of line between Pelaw and Bede stations.