Three sets of steps at the station have now been out of use for a year.

‘This wouldn’t happen in Newcastle’ say city councillors as steps at a Sunderland Metro station remain out of use for a year.

Ciaran Morrissey (Lib Dem, Millfield & Hendon) at University Metro Station | Submitted

placeholder image — Ciaran Morrissey (Lib Dem, Millfield & Hendon) at University Metro Station | Submitted

Not one, but all three sets of steps - two on the north-bound platform and one on the South Hylton-bound platform - have been out of action for more than 12 months at University Metro station.

It means passengers have to use the ramps to gain access to both platforms, which can increase the time it takes to make your train.

Wearside’s Liberal Democrats have hit out at transport bosses at Nexus for the state of the steps, which are all fenced off.

But the Echo has now learned that it could be months before the repairs are completed.

This week marks one year since Lib Dem councillors in the city first raised concerns with Nexus asking when the steps would be fixed and reopened to the public.

Passengers have to use ramp access on both platforms, which can take longer than the steps | Sunderland Echo

Signs say: “The staircases at this station are closed while we carry out essential maintenance work.

“During this time, please use the station ramp for access.

“We appreciate your patience and will reopen the staircase as soon as the work is complete.”

Local Lib Dem campaigner for Millfield and the city centre Ciaran Morrissey said: “Once again, Nexus treats Sunderland residents as second-best. If a Metro station in central Newcastle didn’t have proper access to the platforms for over a year, there’d be hell on.

“It’s bad enough that these stairs have been closed for a year, but to find out that there’s been no progress made on them whatsoever is a kick in the teeth.

'Improvement Works' signs have been installed for more than a year | Sunderland Echo

“It really shows where we are in the pecking order.”

He added: “People in Sunderland are sick of a second-best public transport service and terrible stations that don’t feel safe and well-maintained. We deserve better than this.”

After being approached by the Echo, however, Nexus says it aims to have the staircases back open by the end of 2026.

Sarah McManus, head of renewals at Nexus, said: “We are working hard to get both staircases at University Metro station in Sunderland back in use for our customers.

“The stairs remain closed, due to issues with the concrete. Access to the platforms is via the station’s ramps. We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.

“They require a substantial amount of repair work, including new concrete on the steps, tactile paving, handrails, anti-slip surfacing and resurfacing work.

“The repair work is currently being planned, and we expect to start on site in the autumn. We aim to have the stairs back in use by the end of the year.”