Five-day Metro closure planned for major North Tyneside track renewals

A key stretch of the Tyne and Wear Metro serving North Tyneside and Newcastle is due to close temporarily next month as part of a programme of essential renewal work aimed at improving long-term reliability.

The investment project will require a full line closure between Shiremoor and St James, in both directions, from Monday 16 February until Friday 20 February. Metro services are scheduled to resume on the affected section on Saturday 21 February.

During the closure, Yellow line services will continue to operate from Shiremoor towards South Shields via South Gosforth, calling at all stations along the route. Green line services will run as normal. To support passengers travelling through the affected area, replacement bus services will operate, stopping at or close to all closed Metro stations.

The work forms part of Nexus’ ongoing Asset Renewal Programme, which focuses on replacing and upgrading ageing Metro infrastructure such as track and overhead line equipment. As part of the five-day closure, around 950 metres of new track will be installed between Chillingham Road and Walkergate, alongside the replacement of more than 1,000 sleepers across the wider section.

Nexus said it is using the closure to carry out additional essential tasks wherever possible, including cable testing, platform repairs, lineside vegetation management and structural inspections, in order to reduce the need for further disruption in the future. Passengers are being advised to plan journeys in advance and allow extra time while the works are under way.

The scheme sits within a wider programme of long-term investment in the Metro, delivered in partnership with the Department for Transport. Close to £1bn has been invested in the network over the past 15 years, funding a new fleet of trains, the removal of single-track sections in South Tyneside and extensive renewals of track, overhead lines, bridges, tunnels, embankments and communications systems.

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 Spring 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.”

Image: Nexus