Nine day Metro line closure will stop travellers reaching airport during summer holidays
Travellers hoping to get to Newcastle International Airport this summer may be impacted by a Metro line closure.
A nine day Metro line closure will impact any holidaymakers attempting to reach Newcastle Airport during the summer holidays.
Improvement work will take place between South Gosforth and Airport in both directions from Saturday, August 15 until Sunday, August 23.
This sits in the middle of the summer holidays for schools across the region when pupils will be away from the classroom. The new term gets underway in early September.
Metro schedules will return to normal from the morning of Monday, August 24.
A replacement bus service will run during the works, calling at or close to all affected Metro stations including Newcastle International Airport.
Customers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling through the affected area.
The closure will allow for the safe removal of the large metal canopy that covers the bus station roadway and Metro lines at Regent Centre.
Track renewal and station upgrades will also take place at Callerton Parkway, Bank Foot, Kingston Park, Fawdon and Wansbeck Road during the impacted dates.
Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, said: “This project represents a major investment in our Airport line.
“The closure allows us to really crack on with the renewal scheme at Regent Centre. The station canopy needs to come down as part of the wider station refurbishment and this can only be done safely with a line closure in place.
“We’re also investing in track, stations and other pieces of infrastructure, which require renewal work to ensure we have a functional Metro system for many years to come.
“There is no good time to close a line, and we do so to minimise disruption to as many customers as possible. Our plans consider school holidays, to ensure the least possible disruption to customers and the most efficient works.
“By scheduling these works during the schools’ summer break, we can avoid impacting busier commutes, and less congestion on the roads should speed up alternative travel times on replacement buses.
“Customers are advised to plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time to make their journeys through the affected area. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”