Monster Metro queues on Sunderland Airshow and Great North Run weekends set to be eased by upgrades, say chiefs

The Great North Run and the Sunderland International Airshow could both see the benefits of major upgrades to the Metro network.
Sunderland International Air Show always attracts a huge crowd - and massive Metro queues.Sunderland International Air Show always attracts a huge crowd - and massive Metro queues.
Sunderland International Air Show always attracts a huge crowd - and massive Metro queues.

Bosses on the Tyne and Wear transport system hope to agree a contract for the ‘Metro Flow’ project between Pelaw and Bede stations early next year.

But while spectators and competitors at the two annual events, among other, stand to benefit, families and business who rely on the service could be forced to make do with the bus for 12 weeks while engineers get to work.

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“When we agree a contractor, which we’re looking to do about March 2021, I will be able to give further information to move the project forward,” said Claire Tulley, community relations officer at Metro operator Nexus.

Great North Run day always sees huge Metro queues, which tens of thousands of runners and spectators using the network.Great North Run day always sees huge Metro queues, which tens of thousands of runners and spectators using the network.
Great North Run day always sees huge Metro queues, which tens of thousands of runners and spectators using the network.

“The project won’t happen until September 2022, but there’s a lot of work to be done behind the scenes to get us ready for the closure of this section [of track].

“We’re looking at a closure of about 12 weeks, which will be supported by replacement bus services for that.”

Tulley was speaking at a meeting of South Tyneside Council’s Riverside Community Area Forum (CAF), which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

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The Metro Flow project in South Tyneside is due to upgrade about 3 km of what is currently a single track line, dualling it to allow trains to travel in both directions at the same time.

The stretch, which includes Pelaw, Hebburn, Jarrow and Bede stations, is a pinch point often the cause of disruption across the network.

According to Nexus bosses, benefits of the scheme will include:

:: Increased frequency of Metro trains increased to one every 10 minutes outside the central areas

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:: Improved capacity for an extra 24,000 passenger journeys every year.

:: Better reliability of services and quicker recovery from disruptions

:: Better support for major events, including the Great North Run, Sunderland Air Show, stadium concerts and sports

Transport chiefs have already said the work would be carried out in a window after the Great North Run and before the busy Christmas shopping period so the disruption does not add to strains on the system at those times.

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