Sunderland's University Metro station repairs now won't be complete until 2027
‘This is a substantial amount of work and is more than we initially expected.’
Repairs to three stairways at University Metro station in Sunderland will not now be complete until 2027, despite a previous statement from operators Nexus that they would “aim to have the stairs back in use by the end of the year”.
The stairs at the station have been fenced off since July 2025. Signage is in place stating that: “The staircases at this station are closed while we carry out essential maintenance work.”
Both platforms are accessible by ramps, but the little extra time needed to use them adds to the possibility of missing a train and there is disquiet about the length of time being taken to address the problems.
Campaigner and former councillor Ciaran Morrissey told the Echo in July: “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.”
Nexus said at the time that it aimed “to have the stairs back in use by the end of the year”.
Three months later there is no visible change.
But the work requires a capital scheme rather than just maintenance, meaning that completely new stairs are required and not just a repair mend of the existing ones, which have visibly crumbled since the station was opened in 2002.
Work is now due to start in mid to late November and expected to take 12 weeks, giving a completion date of some time in February 2027 at the earliest.
Sarah McManus, head of Renewals at Nexus, said: “We are working hard to get the stairs at University Metro station back in use for our customers.
“After further inspection, all three staircases require a complete rebuild due to their condition. This is a substantial amount of work and is more than we initially expected.
“We are aiming to start the work in November, and expect it to take around 12 weeks to complete and re-open the stairs to the public as usual. Access to the platforms remains available via the station ramps.
“We apologise for the ongoing inconvenience this is causing customers.”