VolkerFitzPatrick has finished building Tyne and Wear Metro’s new depot at Gosforth on behalf of contractor Stadler, the company that is building forty-six new trains for the Metro.

The new Gosforth Metro Depot, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, cost seventy million pounds to build. It will be the base both the existing fleet of trains, and for the new train fleet, which the Metro is introducing at a cost of £362m.

Nexus, the public body that operates the Metro, reports that the depot is eco-friendly, has a range of innovative features, and has been designed to a high specification to ensure that the new fleet is as available and reliable as possible, which will be good news for passengers following recent problems with train availability.

It says that the building will promote sustainability, and will provide an attractive environment for employees. All work spaces have windows, and the depot will make best use of natural light.

The new depot makes use of premium insulation to minimise carbon emissions and has solar panels on the roof. Water is recycled on site and used to wash trains. The depot also includes charging bays for electric cars, a secure area for bicycles, and showers for people who cycle to and from work.

The previous Gosforth depot, a century-old building, was demolished in order to make way for the new facility and train stabling areas. It was crushed on-site and the material reused for tracks and foundations of the new depot.

The new depot will provide a better working environment. Workers at the depot will carry out a wide range of activities, including preventative and corrective maintenance, overhauls and train presentation. The depot will provide storage for spare parts and material supplies and office space for training and support functions.

The sidings were completed in November, and the facility also includes inspection roads and pits, a separate wheel lathe building, and a wash-plant where train exteriors will be cleaned. It also has a component drop to enhance maintenance efficiency, monorail cranes on both light maintenance roads, and an overhead crane on the heavy maintenance roads for lifting roof components.

The depot’s new control room will function as a centre for digital management of train movements, and is strategically positioned to provide a good view of the depot site and stabling areas.

Nexus says that the new depot will be transformative for the Metro workforce and heralds the start of a new era for the service.

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “It’s fantastic to see that the new £70m Gosforth Metro depot has been completed on time. Huge thanks go to the teams at Stadler and VolkerFitzpatrick for doing such a superb job as well as our own project team.

“The new depot will revolutionise Metro train maintenance. It’s transformative for the teams who work there, and provides a state of the art home for the new Metro train fleet. It brings fleet maintenance into the 21st century, ensuing that we have the very best facilities for many years to come.

“A huge amount of work has gone into the project. From the demolition and construction phases through to the creation of all 17 of the new train stabling lanes, overhead lines and signalling systems.

“It’s been built on exactly the same site as the previous Metro depot, but these new buildings bring a step change in quality. It’s a cleaner and brighter working environment, boasting a range of features to save energy and cut carbon emissions.

“The completion of Gosforth depot is another step on the road to a brighter future for the Tyne and Wear Metro. The work to get the new trains ready for service is continuing and that will be the next big milestone to come.”

Paul Patrick, Managing Director for Stadler Rail Service UK, commented: “After three years of hard work, the new facility is now an asset to the local area and one that local residents and the wider community can be proud of. It has been built to a very high standard, with quality and precision at its heart, and its technologically sophisticated features will mean that trains can be maintained efficiently and speedily. This promotes an efficient, smooth-running railway for the benefit of passengers, supporting regional jobs and growth and helping the north east to flourish.

Paul Lilley, Divisional Director for Rail and Depots for VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Stadler and Nexus to deliver this depot, which will be integral in providing modern and reliable rail services for the Tyne and Wear Metro. Through the team’s dedication and collaborative spirit, we have been able to stay on track for completion and deliver the facility safely and efficiently – regardless of working on an active depot, and worldwide events that included a pandemic.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank our supply chain who have made all of this possible – VolkerRail, NG Bailey, PLS engineering, First in Rail and A&M Electricals.”