There will be no Tyne and Wear Metro services between Pelaw and South Shields from Monday 13th to Friday 17th April to allow for major work to take place on the overhead line. This work is part of the Asset Renewal Programme and has been scheduled during the Easter holidays to minimise disruption and with less traffic on the roads the road replacement transport should suffer fewer delays.
The main focus of the project will see a total of 3,200 metres of new overhead wire installed. But as part of Nexus’ continued approach to undertake as much work as possible during planned line closures, additional work will also take place. This will include track engineering, signalling maintenance, structural inspections, station maintenance and lineside estate management.
During the work the following train services will still run:
- Pelaw to St James
- South Hylton to Airport
A replacement bus service (numbered 900) will run between South Shields and Heworth. This will call at, or close to, all stations on the closed route.
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: “This is a key investment in our overhead lines to ensure that Metro can continue to serve South Tyneside long into the future.
“Overhead wires are absolutely critical to our operation, and we are currently engaged in a rolling programme of replacing this key part of our infrastructure right across the system.
“There is no good time to close a line, and we do so to minimise disruption to as many customers as possible. Our plans consider school holidays, to ensure the least possible disruption to customers and the most efficient works.
“By scheduling these works during the schools’ Easter break, we can avoid impacting busier commutes, and less congestion on the roads should speed up alternative travel times on replacement buses.
“Customers are advised to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time to make their journeys through the affected area. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”