Tyne and Wear Metro services are again calling at Whitley Bay after the completion of emergency repairs to the canopy. The station had been closed since 17th February after damage to the grade II listed canopy caused by Storm Otto.
The damage caused was so severe that it was deemed safe to allow passengers to board or alight trains there whilst repairs were undertaken. Initially no trains were able to run through the station either, although after a few days permission was given for them to travel through without stopping.
Huw Lewis, Nexus Customer Services Director, said: ““I am pleased to say that Whitley Bay Metro station has been re-opened. My thanks go to our customers for their patience while we carried out the emergency repair work on the canopy, which had been damaged by Storm Otto. Special tension nets have been fitted to the glass roof panels. Once that work was completed it was deemed safe to re-open. Safety is our top priority at all times. We will be carrying out a full refurbishment of the Grade II Listed canopy at Whitley Bay Metro station this summer.”
Services resumed from Monday 27th March after the installation of special netting beneath the glass panels. A full £5.3 million refurbishment programme will be starting this summer.