VolkerFitzpatrick appointed to build new Metro depot

The new Tyne and Wear Metro depot at South Gosforth – replacing the current structure – is to be built by VolkerFitzpatrick following their appointment by Stadler to construct the £70 million facility to accommodate the state of the art trains which should enter service from 2023.

Stadler were announced earlier this year as the firm that will build, service and maintain the new trains for the Metro and they have now contracted VolkerFitzpatrick to complete the actual construction of the all new depot. The depot will be built on the site of the current, original structure and whilst the work takes place a temporary depot will be used at Howden for the stabling of some trains each night.

The new depot will be able to house all 46 of the new Stadler trains and is part of the £362 million fleet replacement programme of which £70 million is allocated to this new facility. It will be designed to ensure maximum availability and reliability of the fleet for years to come (Stadler have a contract for 35 years). The working environment will be vastly improved and become home to a range of activities including preventative and corrective maintenance, overhauls and train presentation. There will also be storage for spare parts and material supplies and office space for training and support functions.

There will be inspection roads and pits, cranes, jacks, test facilities, automatic train-checking equipment and a wheel-lathe. A wash-plant will be provided to clean train exteriors and other dedicated areas for both daily and periodic deep-cleaning. The outside area will be adapted to optimise train movements, while keeping noise to a minimum for the benefit of local residents.

Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council and Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: ““Today’s announcement brings us another step closer to having a Metro service in Tyne and Wear fit for the 21st century. The new state-of-the-art depot, which has been designed by Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture, will be environmentally friendly and we look forward to seeing it take shape over the next few years.”

Tobyn Hughes, Managing Director Transport North East, added: “This investment in a new depot will revolutionise our maintenance facilities, creating a modern and energy efficient home for the new train fleet. It’s a development that will secure the long-term future of the Metro system and deliver a step-change in quality for our workforce. The current Metro depot building has been there since 1923, so this work is long overdue and when it’s completed it will be an historic moment in the proud history of the Metro system. We’re very pleased that, despite the crisis caused by Covid-19, Stadler is continuing to make progress with the preparations to build and maintain the new Metro fleet.”

The project will see the safe demolition of the old 1923 depot, clearing the site, followed by construction of the new depot. Work should start later this year with most building work completed by 2025. The planning has been configured to enable the legacy fleet to continue successfully operating from the depot whilst construction takes place.

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