Shields Ferry suspension extended - Nexus set new open date for crossing
A new date has been set for the Shields Ferry crossing to open - and it will add yet more frustration for cross-Tyne commuters.
The Shields Ferry opening date has been pushed back by Nexus - adding yet more transport frustration for people on both sides of the Tyne.
The crossing has been out of action since Wednesday, January 28 due to storm damage. And in their last update in February, Nexus revealed they hoped that repair work would be completed by the end of March.
However, in a statement released on Thursday, that date has now been pushed back to mid-April at the earliest.
Businesses, including the Alum Ale House, have this week talked of their frustration at a loss of trade due to the crossing’s suspension.
Speaking to the Gazette, pub owner Jeff Dean claims the Alum is ‘struggling’ due to reduced customer numbers. And as a result, he says his takings are down 47% year-on-year, with less people using the pub due to the ferry service suspension.
So the news will be far from welcome to some businesses who rely on such trade, as well as commuters who are now being forced to take replacement buses or drive through the Tyne Tunnel to go north to south and vice versa.
Nexus statement on Shields Ferry suspension continuation
The current Shields Ferry suspension will continue into April to allow for further essential monitoring and analysis to be undertaken.
The North Shields landing was damaged during Storm Chandra in January and the cross-Tyne service has been closed as a safety precaution while essential repairs took place.
Nexus confirmed today, Thursday 26 March, that the repairs on the landing are largely complete. However, specialist monitoring is being installed to enable safe reopening to the public. Depending on this analysis, the earliest the ferry landing could reopen is mid-April.
Nexus is working hard to get the landing back into use as soon as possible so that Ferry services can resume.
A bus replacement service operating to and from each Ferry landing via the Tyne Tunnel will continue during the closure. Ferry tickets are also being accepted on Metro services.
John Souter, Head of Customer Service Operations at Nexus, said: “We are fitting advanced monitoring systems on the North Shields landing following the storm damage earlier this year.
“Having monitoring in place is hugely important and is a key element in safely bringing the landing back into operation. Safety remains our top priority.
“The bulk of the structural repairs are complete, with the focus now on the new movement monitoring system.
“Unfortunately, this means that the current Ferry service suspension will need to remain in place until at least mid-April. We will then have more monitoring data to confirm when it can reopen.
“We’re sorry for the ongoing disruption this is causing customers.
“We are ensuring that the Ferry replacement bus service via Tyne Tunnel will continue in the meantime.”
Due to the replacement bus services sourced, it isn’t possible for bikes to be taken on board the buses. Cyclists are advised if they need to cross the River Tyne to use the Tyne Pedestrian and Cyclist Tunnel.