Metro announce seven day closure affecting travellers on busy line

Tyne and Wear Metro which is operated by Nexus, has announced that there will be a seven day closure from next week, to allow for major works. 

During the closure, Nexus will be replacing power lines along a 5.6km stretch of the network, as part of a major programme of overhead line renewal work. 

The renewal works will mean that a busy section of the metro line will be closed in order for the work to be completed successfully.

The line that will be closed will be between Benton and North Shields. This closure will also allow refurbishment schemes to take place at two busy Metro stations, Whitley Bay and Monkseaton.

Metro services will resume as normal once the line is re-opened, which will take place on Monday, April 15.

Receive a news round-up, as well as breaking news alerts, when you sign up to NewcastleWorld’s newsletters.

Customers who rely on the Metro for transport will be able to use a replacement bus service, which will replace trains between Four Lane Ends and North Shields from Monday, April 8 to Sunday, April 14.

The bus replacement service, 900 will be running in the area, arriving at or near all Metro stations on the route that have been affected by the closure.

Stuart Clarke, Metro Infrastructure Director, said: “This seven day major line closure is to allow for our ongoing multi-million pound investment in Metro modernisation to ensure that the network is here for many decades to come.

“These works will involve the renewal of vital overhead lines along a 5.6 kilometre section of our network. We are also carrying out a range of other secondary works which includes lineside estate management and station refurbishment works at Whitley Bay and Cullercoats.

“While there is no good time to close a large section of the Metro system, the works will improve Metro’s resilience in the future.  We will do all we can to keep any disturbance to an absolute minimum, and I apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will cause.

“Customers will be provided with frequent replacement bus services throughout this work and need to allow a bit of extra time to make their journey in the area where the line is closed.

“If you’re heading into Newcastle, where possible get the Metro from North Shields and head into town via Wallsend.”