Nexus who own and operate Metro revealed that work on the Metro Flow project is moving forward and is due to complete by the 4th of December coinciding with the line between Pelaw and South Shields reopening.
The track dualling project will bring greater reliability over the entire Metro network and will provide an increased frequency of trains into the future. So far, the project has seen 3km of new track installed alongside the replacement of five track junctions and has seen more than 4,000 sleepers and 16,000 tonnes of new ballast put in place. The huge work site which stretches from Gateshead to South Tyneside sees 1,000 railway workers employed.
Major Project Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “The Metro Flow project has reached the halfway point and the works are making great progress.
“Three kilometres of new Metro tracks have been successfully installed already and we remain on course to get the line back open to customers on December 4.
“The works have been intensive. It is the biggest line closure we have ever undertaken. We have seen sections of old track excavated to make room for the new lines.
“In three key areas, we are dualling the track by upgrading the adjacent freight line, which will become part of the Metro's infrastructure.
“We are really grateful to our customers and our lineside neighbours for their patience while we carry out this project, which involves us working right around the clock.
“Metro Flow will allow us to improve reliability on the Metro system, allow for a greater frequency of services in the future when we have our new trains, and offer scope to examine future opportunities to expand the network to other areas that are currently not served by Metro.”
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “We are delighted to be on schedule. Having a safe, reliable and sustainable public transport network is crucial for people to get around, whether they are travelling to work, education or for recreation.
“The planned line closure marks a significant step in the Metro Flow project, an investment which will bring long-term benefits to the Borough and the wider region.
“Although it does mean there is continued disruption for those who use the Metro to travel to and from South Tyneside, people are assured that once the Metro Flow project is complete, it will make a huge difference with journey times and frequency vastly improved.
“The track dualling will also help to minimise disruption if problems occur while creating scope for expansion of the Metro network in the future.”
Customers travelling between Pelaw and South Shields are being urged to plan their journeys ahead leaving more time than usual to make their travel.
A regular replacement bus service has been put in place and includes:
- Service 900 which calls at all of the stations affected on the route
- Service X900 which offers an express service from South Shields to Heworth
The Governments Transforming Cities Fund has invested £95 million in the project and will allow Nexus to deliver the project. The full cost of the entire project is £104 million.
The project will see 4.6km of Metro track replaced alongside three sections of single track including 3km of track between Pelaw and Bede Metro stations.
The Metro network features three single-track sections which require trains to use the same line for both directions of travel which currently leads to delays.
Interesting image of a wheeled vehicle, not a tracked one, being used on the trackbed. Watch this space in future years for tales of rough riding on this stretch as faults manifest themselves?