A four-week closure along the Metro line between South Shields and Chichester is to occur in order for the completion of the town’s new £21m bus and Metro interchange, which is due to open on Sunday 4 August.

When the new interchange opens its doors South Shields town centre will have an entirely new Metro terminus.

First opened in 1984, the current Metro station on King Street will close permanently and is to be demolished.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, is closing the line for signalling and telecoms works so that Metro trains will be able to serve the new interchange.

The major line closure will start from Monday 8 July and will run until Sunday 4 August.

When the line is closed a frequent replacement bus service, 900, will be provided.

Metro services will be continuing to operate as usual from Chichester towards Jarrow and Hebburn, and onwards to Newcastle and Sunderland.

South Tyneside Council is working with partners Muse Developments and Nexus, and construction contractor Bowmer and Kirkland, to deliver the new South Shields interchange on Fowler Street and Keppel Street.

Construction of the interchange, which forms Phase Two of the £100m South Shields 365 regeneration masterplan, began in April 2018.

It is to provide South Shields with a landmark new building which will house both the Metro and bus concourses under one roof.

The project received £9.4m from the Local Growth Deal through the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Local Growth Deal is supporting major capital investments to promote innovation, economic and skills infrastructure and sustainable transport across the North East LEP area.

What did the officials say?

Managing Director of Nexus, Tobyn Hughes, said:

“The new £21m transport interchange is very close to completion and it’s going to be a really exciting development for South Shields town centre when it opens to the public in less than two months.

“This new interchange, which brings Metro and bus links under one roof, is a key part of the ongoing regeneration of South Shields town centre. It will deliver a bright, modern, and clean facility for public transport users. It is a step change in quality compared to what was there before.

“We have to close the line between South Shields and Chichester for four weeks so that some final signalling works can be carried so that our trains can stop at the new Metro station.

“I’m sorry for any inconvenience this will cause to our customers. The long term benefit will be a new transport interchange which we think will attract more people into the town for shopping and leisure.”

Where Next?

News Homepage
   For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
   Framed Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s and more
LocoStop Community
   Come and share your railway pictures