Metro passengers warned of nine-day line closure
A busy section of Metro line between North Tyneside and Newcastle is to be closed for nine days for a major programme of renewal work.
The work – between Monkseaton and St James - will take place between Saturday October 24 October and Sunday November 1.
The route is due to re-open to Metro services on the morning of Monday November 2 November.
Buses will replace trains during the work, calling at or close to all affected stations.
Metro operator Nexus says the closure is required to undertake work that will replace key sections of track including junctions in east Newcastle and overhead line and switching components in North Tyneside. Between Walkergate and Wallsend the Metro tracks and the track bed itself will be renewed - which requires 1,500 metres of new rail and replacement sleepers. This project adopts a new approach that Nexus refers to as ‘Fixed Area Planning’ - maximising the amount of work done during a closure to reduce the likelihood of needing to revisit the site. The work will take place right around the clock and is part of the Metro Asset Renewal Programme of rolling investment to modernise key parts of the railway’s infrastructure and extend the life and reliability of the system. Nexus say that scheduling the work to take place during the half term school break also helps avoid impacting busier commuting times. Customers are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling through the affected area. Paul Welford, major projects director at Nexus, said: “This full programme of work involves replacing track, overhead line equipment and other vital pieces of infrastructure, to increase reliability and ensure that we have a functional Metro system for many years to come. “There is no good time to close a line, and we always try to minimise disruption to as many customers as possible. Our plans always consider school holidays, to ensure the least possible disruption.” “By scheduling these works during half term, we can avoid impacting busier commutes, and less congestion on the roads should speed up alternative travel times on replacement buses.” He added: “Customers are advised to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time to make their journeys through the affected area.
"We’re sorry for any inconvenience.”