The Metro line between Pelaw and South Shields has seen a major 13-week closure in order for the operator to carry out its largest improvement scheme to date, reopening for services on the 14th of December.

Nexus has thanked customers for their ongoing patience whilst the essential work was completed especially as the project saw an extension of ten days added in order to finish the overhead line and signal work. The work marks the biggest single project undertaken by Nexus since the Metro’s opening back in 1984.

Major Projects Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “I am pleased to say that the Metro line between Pelaw and South Shields is now back up and running following the completion of the £104m Metro Flow works.

“I want to thank our customers for their patience during the closure, which we had to extend for ten days while we completed overhead line works and signal testing.

“We got the line handed back to us from our contractor at the weekend and we then needed two days for drivers to be familiarised with the new track and signalling layouts.

“Metro Flow has involved converting a freight line for Metro trains, which will ultimately help us to improve reliability across the system.”

4.6Km of Metro track has been replaced and brand new overhead line and signalling put in place alongside the removal of three sections of single track between Pelaw and Bede Metro stations.

Bringing improved reliability, the Metro Flow Project will benefit the entire network as it removes the ‘pinch points’ which cause delays to services, the work will also allow an increase in the frequency of services in the future.

The Government’s Transforming Cities Fund provided £95m to Nexus to complete the work for Metro Flow which was completed by railway engineering specialists Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd.