Metro line closure to be extended due to damaged footbridge in North Shields

Damage to the bridge’s structure was identified this week as part of planned infrastructure inspections during the current major line closure on the Metro system in North Tyneside.

Metro operator Nexus said it requires immediate and substantial repairs, which can only be carried out safely while trains are not running.

The bridge, which was already closed off to the public, crosses over the Metro line between North Shields and Tynemouth Metro stations.

The repairs are underway and expected to be completed for full service to resume for Thursday 5 November.

The current planned line closure between St James and Monkseaton will come to an end on Monday 2 November. However, an issue with the bridge means that services will not run between Wallsend and Tynemouth.

Metro services on the Yellow line will operate to normal frequency between South Shields and Tynemouth via Whitley Bay, though there may be changes to the times of some journeys. Services will operate between St James and Wallsend every 20 minutes.

A replacement bus service will operate within in the affected area between Wallsend and Tynemouth at a 20-minute frequency, during the extended closure period. This service will be very busy. Customers travelling from the coast to Newcastle city centre are advised to travel on Metro via Benton.

Kevin Storey, operations director at Nexus, said: “We need to carry out immediate repair works on this disused bridge at North Shields. This will require an extended line closure between Wallsend and Tynemouth until Thursday.

“The issue with the bridge’s stonework was identified during a planned inspection which took place this week. The scale of the work means that we must keep this section of the line closed to complete the repairs effectively and as safely as possible. Safety is always our top priority. We are investigating what may have caused the recent damage, including whether it was impacted by recent storms.

“It is not a quick job to repair this type of damage. We need to turn the power off for this section of the system and have scaffolding in place above the tracks.

“We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to our customers. We have ensured that a replacement bus service in the affected area will be running until the line re-opens.”