Gosforth depot on the Tyne and Wear Metro is to get a new, digital signalling system as it continues its preparation for the new train fleet.

The work will require line closures on the Metro the weekend after next (Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June).

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has also revealed that staff will move into a new, modern depot control room which overlooks the Gosforth site. Control room staff will safely manage train access to and from the mainline.

The work is being undertaken by Stadler and its construction contractor Volker Fitzpatrick. It will be carried out over a single weekend in order to minimise disruption to train services.

Nexus will also use the opportunity of the line closures to carry out maintenance work, including track repairs between South Gosforth and Longbenton, signalling maintenance, station repairs and painting platforms.

The following services will not run:

• Jesmond to South Gosforth/Four Lane Ends until 6.15pm on Saturday 24 June.
• South Gosforth to Airport all day Saturday 24 June and Sunday 25 June.

Passengers will be provided with a frequent replacement bus service, and are advised to allow extra for their journeys.

• Replacement bus service 900 will run from Haymarket to Four Lane Ends
• Replacement bus service 901 will run from Haymarket to Airport.

Both will call at or close to all Metro stations affected.

• In addition, express replacement bus service X901 will operate a faster link between Newcastle city centre and Newcastle Airport every 30 minutes between 8am-6pm on Saturday 24 June and Sunday 25 June.

Metro services will resume between Jesmond and Four Lane Ends at around 6.15pm on Saturday 24 June, and between South Gosforth and Airport on Monday 26 June. Some first and last train times will be different from usual.

The Saturday line closure will affect the final day of The Hopping fun fair on Newcastle Town Moor. The nearest replacement bus stop will be Haymarket, which is a 10-15 minute walk from the site.

For more information go to the Nexus website and updates on Metro’s official Twitter page @My_Metro.

Major Projects Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “This is an absolutely vital project to get the new Gosforth depot ready for the new Metro train fleet.

“A new digital signalling system is going to be installed at the depot, with the Stadler team moving into a modern, new, computerised panel room to manage train movements to and from the mainline.

“This really is a huge step change in the technology as we continue to get ready for the first new Metro trains entering service for customers.

“The bulk of the work packed into a single weekend, along with night shifts, in order to keep the amount of disruption to an absolute minimum.

“It will mean that some Metro lines will have to be closed over the weekend of 24 and 25 June. There is no good time to close a large section of the network and I apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will cause. Frequent replacement buses will be provided in areas where Metro service are not running.”