No services will run between Hebburn and South Shields on the Tyne and Wear Metro for five days during August to allow the installation of new overhead wires, as part of the continued investment in maintaining and upgrading the network’s infrastructure. The planned closure will be in place from Monday 4th to Friday 8th August.
During the works, a total of 1,600 metres of new contact wire and catenary will be installed. The main focus will be between Bede and Tyne Dock.
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: “We’re investing in overhead line equipment renewals for our Metro line in South Tyneside. This will ensure Metro continues to reliably serve the borough for many years to come.
“These wires are critical for the operation of Metro and we’re renewing them right across the Metro network in phases as part of our Metro Asset Renewal Programme.
“The works can only be carried out safely during a five-day closure of the Metro line between Pelaw and South Shields.
“There is no good time to close a section of line, but our plans consider school holidays, least disruption to customers and the most efficient works. This project ensures that a vital section of the Metro system is future proofed and reliable for the long term.
“A frequent replacement bus service will run in the affected area so that customers can still travel around on public transport. The buses will get everyone where they need to be during the closure.”
Replacement buses (number 900 as usual) will run from South Shields to Heworth, calling at or near all Metro stations on the route.
The works are just the latest phase of the Asset Renewal Programme. Over the past 15 years almost £1 billion has been invested in upgrading the network, including the introduction of the new fleet of trains and the Metro Flow project to dual track in South Tyneside.