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Tyne and Wear Metro to receive £40 million investment

Posted: 18 June 2015 | Katie Sadler, Digital Content Producer, Intelligent Transport

Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive on behalf of the North East Combined Authority, has announced a £40 million investment to modernise the Tyne and Wear Metro. Work will be carried out over the next 12 months and concentrate on refurbishment of the Metro train fleet and track replacement on the QEII Bridge […]

Tyne and Wear Metro to receive £40 million investment

Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive on behalf of the North East Combined Authority, has announced a £40 million investment to modernise the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Tyne and Wear Metro to receive £40 million investment

Work will be carried out over the next 12 months and concentrate on refurbishment of the Metro train fleet and track replacement on the QEII Bridge across the river Tyne and between Tynemouth and Northumberland Park stations. Replacement work will also be carried out at Regent Centre where a key track junction will be replaced. The investment allows for essential new technology to be installed including an updated Rail Traffic Management System (RTMS) in the Metro Control Room and a new digital radio system for the Metro train fleet, replacing an analogue radio system installed in the 1990s. Modernisation will also take place at several stations including Heworth, Felling and Gateshead Stadium and at Central Station’s Metro ticket hall and platforms improving accessibility, information and waiting facilities.

The planned investment work forms part of a £389m Government backed regional scheme known as Metro: ‘all change’ modernisation programme which launched in 2010.

Director of Rail and Infrastructure for Nexus, Raymond Johnstone, said: “We have £40m of investment lined up over the next 12 months as part of our Metro modernisation programme.

“The main thing passengers will notice is the station refurbishment work at Central Station and at three of our stations in Gateshead.

“The track replacement work on the North Tyneside coastal loop in 2016 will be extremely significant and is vital to keep Metro running for many decades to come.

“There is also going to be investment in new technology. The new radio system for our trains will be much more reliable and effective. The new technology for our Metro control room is a major development behind the scenes.”

Nexus, alongside Sunderland Council and Network Rail, is planning redevelopment work at Sunderland Station complimenting improvements made to the sub-surface station in 2010.

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