Metro passengers face festive travel woes as services suspended over flyover concerns

Tyne and Wear Metro services between Sunderland and Newcastle have been suspended as concerns over a flyover in Gateshead continue.

No metro trains are running between Heworth and Monument stations, with bus replacement services operating in their place.

The closure is expected to cause disruption, with a large volume of passengers relying on the network on the final weekend before Christmas.

Nexus took the decision to suspend the service on the afternoon of Thursday 19 December due to the risk of collapse of the Gateshead Highway flyover, which has been closed due to safety concerns.

The flyover, which passes above the route of the metro line, was closed by Gateshead Council after 'serious concerns' over its structural integrity were found by inspectors.

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director at Nexus, said: "Based upon the information available to us to date, Metro services have been able to operate through the tunnels beneath the flyover, albeit with a speed restriction in place as a precautionary control.

"We’ve continued to closely monitor the situation and having received further specialist advice this afternoon, we have had to immediately suspend services through the tunnels, until we can put in place more thorough controls.

"This is a developing situation, and we will update customers further as soon as we are able to. We’re aware of the significant disruption this will cause, however the safety of our customers and employees is our top priority.

"We will continue to keep customers updated through our website nexus.org.uk, X and the Pop App."

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness says Gateshead Council 'must find a short-term fix' to the problem, and that she is working to involve the government in finding a permanent solution.

Andy Redfern, from the Green Heart shop on Gateshead's High Street said: "It makes a big difference. You look out the window today, and there's barely anybody in the high street. It's very quiet.

"Five days before Christmas we would certainly be expecting a bit of bustle, a bit of excitement, people coming in for those last minute gifts - so the fact that they're reading on social that they should stay away from the town centre, avoiding the roads in this area, is actually making a real difference."

"I think the problem we've got at the moment is that it feels like the situation is out of control. It feels like death by a thousand cuts - each day, something is changing. So if we could get back to the Metro running, at least that would be feeling like things have stabilised. Then the council and the powers that be can take a step back and find the right solution for Gateshead."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...