13.01.14
All Change programme enters fourth year
Nexus is to invest £35m in the Metro during the fourth year of its All Change modernisation programme.
The majority of work will be carried out at weekends and during the night to limit disruption for commuters, Nexus announced.
Projects in 2014 include: the replacement of CCTV and the public address system; track and drainage renewal at Shiremoor and Whitley Bay; station improvement work at Northumberland Park, Simonside and Pelaw; a major programme of vegetation clearance; and overhead line replacement between Heworth and Hebburn.
The Metrocar refurbishment programme will pass the half way mark in the spring when the 43rd of the 86 cars to be refurbished will come back into service
Also due to be completed is work to install a lift at Walkergate and the last two escalators to be replaced at Gateshead Interchange, while work will begin on the installation of a new train management system at the Metro Control Room at South Gosforth; refurbishment of Hebburn, Jarrow and Bede stations and the installation of a new radio system for Metro driver cabs.
Director general of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “A huge amount of Metro modernisation work is planned for next year. The ‘Metro all change’ programme is vital for securing Metro’s future and it is a scheme which has attracted significant inward investment to the region.
“Over the last three years we have spent £150m on a whole range of schemes including the replacement of ageing tracks, the refurbishment of trains and stations and the installation of a new smart ticketing system.
“The next 12 months will be just as significant as we enter the fourth year of what is an 11 year project to secure Metro’s long term future for many decades to come.
“Much of the work next year is happening behind the scenes but passengers will notice more refurbished trains entering service and more station upgrades taking place. Our new ticket gates are also being phased into use, and that process is already underway.”
Director of Rail and Infrastructure for Nexus, Raymond Johnstone, added: “We are investing £35m in Metro modernisation work next year, but passengers can be assured that there we don’t need to carry out any planned weekday closures.”
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