Tyne and Wear Metro services are now running between Monkseaton and North Shields again following their earlier suspension owing to storm damage at Whitley Bay. It has originally been stated that there were be no trains for the rest of this week but after engineers attended to the damage it has been possible to resume services.
Although the service is back up and running, Whitley Bay Metro station remains closed. Further work is needed to make the glass canopy safe. This was damaged during Storm Otto last week which saw two panes of glass fall from the Grade II listed canopy.
Huw Lewis, Nexus’ Customer Services Director, said: “Our engineers have worked hard to get the Metro line reopened between Monkseaton and North Shields, following the suspension of Metro services last week. Storm Otto damaged the canopy at Whitley Bay Metro station, which means the station will remain shut until all safety measures necessary have been completed to allow our customers to access the station. The closure is in the interests of public safety, which is our top priority. Our thanks go to customers for their patience during this period of disruption. We don’t want to keep a major gateway into Whitley Bay closed for any longer than it has to.”
Thanks Gareth, I am advised that through services resumed at about 18.20 on Wednesday 22nd February, not stopping at Whitley Bay (as mentioned above).
Paul Stewart, Branch Line Society, Malvern.