A £100m track dualling scheme that will increase service frequency, reduce journey times, and improve reliability on the Tyne and Wear Metro has officially got underway.
The Metro Flow project will see an existing freight line upgraded and electrified in South Tyneside, making it capable of carrying Metro services, boosting the capacity for an extra 24,000 customer journeys every day.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, joined local council leaders and contractor Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd to cut the first piece of turf – marking the official start of works on site.
A total of £95m has been secured from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, allowing Metro operator Nexus to deliver the scheme, which will cost £103m in total.
Three sections of single track will be dualled between Pelaw and Bede Metro stations, with the most intensive period of track works taking place between September and December during a 12 week major line closure.
Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see this much-anticipated project get underway.
“Metro Flow will deliver huge benefits for South Tyneside and for the wider region; it will increase capacity, frequency and efficiency on the system. A safe, reliable and efficient public transport network is vital to boost economic growth, and to link our residents and businesses to job, education and social opportunities.
“It will also promote sustainable transport and support our move towards a cleaner, greener borough.”
Cllr Martin Gannon, Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “I’m thrilled to see the Metro Flow project get underway – this is great news for passengers who will experience greatly improved reliability and reduced journey times upon completion.
“This project will be truly transformational for local people, boosting capacity for an extra 24,00 customers every day. The increase helps us to deliver on our green ambitious as outlined in the North East Transport Plan, providing appealing, sustainable transport choices for local people. Thanks to funding from the region’s Transforming Cities Fund, this project will help to welcome many new passengers to our public transport network.”
Chief Operating Officer at Nexus, Martin Kearney, said: “The Metro Flow project is going to be transformative for the Tyne and Wear Metro. It’s great to be able to mark the official start on site for these extensive track dualling works.
“When the project is completed at the end of the year the dualled track will allow us to increase the frequency of Metro services system-wide from twelve minutes to ten minutes outside of the central areas. This means more regular services, and faster journey times for our customers.
“This also gives us the scope to examine future opportunities to expand the network to other areas that are currently not served by Metro.”
Rob Harwood; Construction Director for Buckingham, said: “Buckingham was delighted last year to be awarded the exciting and challenging Metro Flow project. Bringing forward the experience from working successfully with Nexus on the Howdon depot project, we are confident it will be a great success.
“The key challenge lies in achieving the programme, which has no room to change as everything has to be ready for a blockade (or full closure of the line), that cannot be moved, straight after the Great North Run in Sept 2022. We then have 3 months to undertake the main construction works. Sept 12th to Dec 3rd.
“The project team is now being assembled and is based in temporary site offices. I’m pleased to say the team embraces many local people within it, further benefitting the local community.
“Lastly, and equally importantly, we have, with Nexus, started work within the community including engaging with local schools; Jarrow School and Bill Quay Primary.”
Benefits of the Metro Flow project include:
• Increasing the frequency of Metro trains to one every 10 minutes outside central areas
• Deliver capacity for an extra 24,000 passengers a day
• Improve reliability and allow quicker recovery from major disruptions
• Better support for major events including the Great North Run, Sunderland International Airshow, stadium concerts, and major sporting events
• Unlock the door to the expansion of the Metro system
The funding for the Metro Flow project has allowed Nexus to buy four more new trains on top of the 42 which have already been ordered.
Metro Flow allows three sections of single track on the Metro network totalling three kilometres to be dualled between Pelaw and Bede Metro stations.
There are three single-track sections on the Metro network, where trains must use the same line in both directions.
The sections of line are located between Pelaw and Hebburn (800 metres), Hebburn and Jarrow (1.4km) and Jarrow and Bede (600 metres).
For further information there will be two public drop-in sessions hosted by Nexus and Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd, at Pelaw Metro station on Wednesday Feb 2 9am – 11am and 4pm – 6pm.
