Following the announcement by Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuiness, that part of the major government funding for the region will go towards the construction of the first new Tyne and Wear Metro line for over 30 years, comes the news that not only have they appointed technical consultants to help develop the plans but also that public engagement events will be taking place from mid-June onwards.
The planned extension would be a 13km line which will run between two existing Metro stations at Pelaw and South Hylton but go via Washington – a growing town and one of the largest advanced manufacturing zones. The extension would use former railway alignments such as the Leamside line.
Arup – a global consultancy which specialises in design, engineering and environmental services – have been appointed to conduct a feasibility study as well as a survey and design work for the stations, bridges and other key infrastructure.
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, added: “We’re delighted to appoint Arup to work on this important next stage of the Metro to Washington project. Arup has a first class track record in providing design consultancy for large infrastructure projects. Their role will be absolutely critical in putting together a feasibility study and design work for the proposed new Metro line.”
To allow people to understand more about the plans, and the route it will take, a series of engagement events will take place from mid-June 2025. These events will also allow people to ask questions of the project team and to provide feedback on the plans.
Kim McGuiness said: “When I was first elected, I pledged to extend the Metro, so I am delighted that we are making this a reality – we are bringing the Metro to Washington. These drop-in engagement events are the ideal opportunity for the public to find out more about the project so please come along to find out more.
“I am thrilled that we will deliver the biggest expansion of Metro for more than 30 years – adding new stations and connecting more communities like Washington to enhanced opportunities that will benefit local people for generations to come.
The extension will also include new stations at Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South. It will run along the northern section of the Leamside Line, with work also underway to re-open the railway line in full in the future. It will go the other way to South Hylton (which is currently the terminus of the Sunderland line), in effect creating a full loop. If all goes according to plan it would open from 2033, just over 30 years since the last Metro extension to Sunderland opened.
The work being completed by Arup, and including the comments from the engagement events, will be used to go towards the Outline Business Case which will help to fully secure the funding for the project.
The events will take place between Tuesday 17th June and Tuesday 1st July at various locations along the route.