Section of Metro to close for track replacement

A section of the Tyne and Wear Metro is due to shut for nine days its track is replaced.

Nexus, which runs the service, is shutting the yellow line connecting North Tyneside and Newcastle in both directions between St James and Monkseaton from 24 October.

Buses will replace trains during the closure, but the operator warned passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey.

Drivers will also face disruption elsewhere during the half-term break as the Tyne Bridge is also shut for 10 days.

As part of the work on the Metro, sections of overhead lines will also be replaced, with workers expected to be on site round-the-clock.

Nexus said scheduling the closure during half-term helped avoid impacting busier commutes, with generally less road traffic to help with alternative travel measures.

Major projects director Paul Welford said: "We will be replacing track, overhead line equipment and other vital pieces of infrastructure, to increase reliability and ensure that we have a functional Metro system for many years to come.

"There is no good time to close a line, and we always try to minimise disruption to as many customers as possible."

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