Disruption on Tyne and Wear Metro with services suspended again

Services on the Tyne and Wear Metro are again suspended between Benton and St James after two sections of overhead lines came down.

Six hundred metres of Metro’s overhead line has come down between Palmersville and West Monkseaton, causing damage to masts in the area.

That stretch of track is expected to re-open later on Tuesday.

However, an 800-metre section of overhead line is also down at Chillingham Road and that is not expected to re-open until Wednesday.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, says the extent of the damage is significant.

A frequent replacement bus service and ticket acceptance on local bus services is in place and staff have been sent to affected stations to look after passengers, who are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow updates online.

Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: “I’m sorry for the disruption caused to our customers. Two sections of overhead line have come down and the damage is significant.

“Our engineering teams are going to work around the clock to get this work carried out as quickly as possible so that Metro services can be restored in the affected area.

“In the meantime a frequent replacement bus service will be running in the area calling at or near Metro stations on the route. Customers can use their Metro tickets on local buses and should leave extra time if they have to travel in the affected area.”