Repair work to the electrical substation which has been damaged by flood water is now underway by Network Rail which means that Metro services have been suspended between Park Lane and South Hylton and will be ongoing into the new year.

Nexus who own and operate Metro will see the replacement bus facility operate between the affected areas from Monday the 19th of December and will be running every 20 minutes.

John Alexander, Metro Operations Director, said: “I know how frustrating the disruption through Sunderland is and while this is beyond our control we want to do all we can for Metro customers in the city.

“There will be two buses calling at stations between Park Lane and South Hylton from Monday, providing customers with a 20-minute frequency in that area at times when Metro would normally operate.”

Metro trains will still be in operation on the Sunderland line between Pelaw and Park Lane however they will operate at a 24-minute frequency which is the maximum possible given the reduced power supply. Sundays will see a 30-minute frequency.

Network Rail has said that they do not expect to see services between Park Lane and South Hylton return before the new year due to the degree of flood damage.

Replacement buses operating from Monday the 19th will remove the Metro ticket acceptance on Stagecoach bus services 8, 10, 11 and 20 between Sunderland and South Hylton.