Busy section of Metro to close for three days for emergency repairs
A busy section of the Metro system is closing for three days to allow for emergency repairs to overhead lines.
The lines at Benton require urgent work following a ‘de-wirement’ incident earlier this year.
It will take place during a three-day major line closure in both directions between South Gosforth and Shiremoor, from Tuesday, May 26 until Thursday, May 28.
Metro operator Nexus requires a three-day window to complete the work. The fix will allow the current temporary timetable between South Gosforth and Benton to be removed, meaning early morning and late-night trains can return into service as usual.
The affected line will reopen to Metro services on Friday, May 29.
Metros from South Shields will operate at a usual frequency and will terminate at Regent Centre to change ends. Trains from St James will operate at a 15-minute frequency and terminate and switch ends at Shiremoor before returning to St James.
A replacement bus service will run during the closure, calling at or close to all affected Metro stations.
Northern trains on the Northumberland Line will still call at Northumberland Park, and travel to and from Newcastle Central Station, during the closure.
Customers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling through the affected area.
Stuart Clarke, infrastructure director at Nexus, said: “The Metro overhead lines at Benton need to undergo emergency repair work.
“The scope and scale of the project means that we require three full days to get it done. This will allow engineers to get extended access to the overhead lines safely.”