Metro disruption due to Gateshead flyover closure to continue into the New Year
Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus has today (23 December) confirmed that the disruption to its train services caused by the closure of the Gateshead flyover will continue until at least the New Year.
Trains between Monument and Heworth are currently suspended until further notice, after advice from structural engineers. This is because they run through tunnels underneath the Gateshead flyover.
Nexus has described this as an "unprecedented situation" and one of the "biggest operational challenges" in the history of the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The operator has also warned that because it is unable to maintain the trains that are currently stranded on the south side of the Tyne, it cannot guarantee services on that side of the river will be able to continue for the whole period the tunnels are closed, saying it needs to be "realistic".
Meanwhile, the North East Mayor Kim McGuinness held an urgent meeting with the Transport Secretary today (23 December), to discuss both short-term and long-term solutions to the Gateshead flyover situation.
The Mayor's office told ITV Tyne Tees: "The Mayor was meeting the Transport Secretary tonight in a bid to agree a permanent solution for the flyover. She is pushing Gateshead Council to bring forward emergency repairs so that Metro trains can start running again through the tunnel under the flyover before the new year."
Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus, said: “The Metro line closure remains an evolving situation. We ask customers to plan in advance and allow more time for their journeys.
“We’re aware of the significant disruption it’s causing, however, the safety of our customers and employees is our top priority.
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused. Please be assured we are doing all that we can on this, working closely with partners. We will continue to keep customers updated and all the latest information can be found on the Nexus website, the Pop App, and on the Metro’s X page (formerly Twitter) @My_Metro.”
Tyne and Wear Metro services over the next few days have now been confirmed by Nexus.
On Christmas Eve there will be a 15 minute service frequency north of the Tyne and a 24 minute frequency south of the Tyne. Services will start to run down from 6pm. There will be an hourly service from around 7pm until the end of service.
There are no Metro services running on Christmas Day.
On Boxing Day there will be a 15 minute frequency north of the Tyne, and a 30 minute frequency south of the Tyne, 8am to 8pm. Extra replacement bus services (Number 900) will be running between Monument and Heworth.
Fans heading to the Newcastle United game should allow plenty of extra time to get to the match. Metro tickets are also being accepted on local bus routes.
Over the weekend, Gateshead town centre was reportedly quieter than usual, with Metros halted and traffic diverted.
Antonio Pili, owner of Italian restaurant Sapori told ITV Tyne Tees: "Every sort of business relies on the weeks coming up to Christmas to be the busiest time of the year as it gets quieter in January.
"You would expect the place to be full now, but it isn't. I expect the footfall to be less and less and less, as you know the area is not really accessible."
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