Busy section of Metro line set for major renewal work

The project will take place during a five-day major line closure between Shiremoor and St James, in both directions, from Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February.

The affected route will re-open to Metro services on Saturday 21 February.

On the yellow line Metro services will run from Shiremoor towards South Shields via South Gosforth calling at all stations on route. The green line will be unaffected by the closure.

A replacement bus service will run during the works, calling at or close to all affected Metro stations.

The work is part of our Asset Renewal Programme – which involves the modernisation of key items of Metro infrastructure, including tracks and overhead lines.

As part of the renewal work, a total of 950 metres of new track will be installed between Chillingham Road and Walkergate, and over 1,000 sleepers being replaced across the closure.

As part of our approach to undertake as much work as possible during any planned line closures, other important works include cable testing, lineside estate management, platform repairs and essential structural inspections.

Customers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling through the affected area.

Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: “We’re investing in new track and other key infrastructure to ensure that Metro continues to reliably serve North Tyneside and Newcastle for many years to come.

“There is no good time to close a section of the network, and we do so to minimise disruption to as many customers as possible. Our plans consider school holidays, to ensure the least possible disruption to customers and the most efficient works.

“By replacing essential infrastructure components, this project ensures that a vital section of the Metro system is future proofed and reliable for the long term. By scheduling these works during the half-term, we can avoid impacting busy school commutes, and less congestion on the roads should speed up alternative travel times.

“It can only be carried out safely during a five-day closure of the Metro system so that our engineers can get extended access to the lines.”

In partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT), we have been able to invest close to £1 billion in upgrading the Tyne and Wear Metro over the past 15 years.

This includes the new train fleet and works to remove single-track operations in South Tyneside, together with hundreds of other projects to replace expired assets and equipment, ranging from new track and overhead line to structural repairs to bridges, tunnels and embankments as well as upgrading communications systems.

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