A busy stretch of the Tyne and Wear Metro between Shiremoor and St James is set to benefit from a significant package of essential renewal works next month, with engineers preparing for a five‑day closure to deliver the upgrades.
The line will be shut in both directions from Monday 16 February to Friday 20 February, reopening as planned on Saturday 21 February.
During the closure, Yellow Line trains will operate between Shiremoor and South Shields via South Gosforth, calling at all stations on the diversion. Green Line services will continue to run as normal. Nexus will also provide a replacement bus service, stopping at or near all affected stations to maintain local connectivity.
The work forms part of the ongoing Asset Renewal Programme, a long‑term investment initiative focused on modernising critical Metro infrastructure—from track and overhead line equipment to structural assets and communications systems.
This latest phase includes the installation of 950 metres of new track between Chillingham Road and Walkergate, alongside the replacement of more than 1,000 sleepers. Nexus engineers will also use the closure to carry out additional maintenance opportunities, including cable testing, lineside estate management, platform repairs and structural inspections.
Passengers travelling through the area are being urged to plan ahead and allow extra journey time.
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said:
“We’re investing in new track and other key infrastructure to ensure that Metro continues to reliably serve North Tyneside and Newcastle for many years to come.”
“There is no good time to close a section of the network, and we do so to minimise disruption to as many customers as possible. Our plans consider school holidays, to ensure the least possible disruption to customers and the most efficient works.
“By replacing essential infrastructure components, this project ensures that a vital section of the Metro system is future proofed and reliable for the long term. By scheduling these works during the Spring half-term, we can avoid impacting busy school commutes, and less congestion on the roads should speed up alternative travel times.
“It can only be carried out safely during a five-day closure of the Metro system so that our engineers can get extended access to the lines.”
Nexus’ long‑term investment strategy has been supported by its partnership with the Department for Transport, enabling nearly £1 billion of spending on the Metro network over the past 15 years. This has funded major upgrades including the new fleet, removal of single‑track pinch points in South Tyneside, and hundreds of essential projects to replace life‑expired assets—from track renewals and overhead line systems to bridge, tunnel and embankment repairs.
Image credit: iStock
