Metro bosses plan weekend of modernisation work

Nexus, which owns and manages the Tyne and wear Metro, has announced the set of points located in the tunnel between St James and Monument Metro stations in Newcastle are being replaced during a 54 hour line closure on Saturday and Sunday.

The work will mean that no Metro services will be in operation between St James and Walkergate this weekend. A replacement bus service, 900, will run in the affected area.

Nexus will also have staff working above ground on Byker viaduct, carrying out essential track maintenance.

Director of Rail and Infrastructure, Raymond Johnstone, said: “We have packed as much work in as possible this weekend while the line is closed between Walkergate and St James.

“The big modernisation scheme will happen in the tunnels beneath Newcastle, where we are replacing a set of points. This is a very important track junction and has to be replaced now.

“Passengers won’t see any of this work happening but I can assure them that it is vital to ensure we have new tracks for the benefit of Metro’s long term future.”

The work forms part of the £350m Metro all change modernisation programme, which is an11 year Government-funded scheme to modernise the Tyne and Wear Metro with new-look stations, refurbished trains and new infrastructure including tracks, signals and overhead lines.

The programme began in 2010 and is currently at the halfway stage. More than £200m has already been invested in Metro in that time.