Four-day Metro line closure this week for engineering work - bosses say workers will keep to social distancing

No trains will run between Hebburn and South Shields from this Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19, as part of an £8 million track renewal project.

Nexus says that “strict controls” will be in place to enforce two-metre social distancing measures between its workers, after an assessment concluded that the modernisation work could go ahead despite lockdown restrictions.

Metro trains are running at a reduced frequency during the Covid-19 crisis, with people urged only to travel if they are a key worker or if their journey is essential.

Passenger numbers have dropped by more than 90% and North East politicians have made repeated calls for an urgent bailout of the network to make up for the millions of pounds it is losing from fare income.

Martin Kearney, Nexus’ chief operating officer, said: “The region needs Metro more than ever now, and in the future, as we get through this public health crisis.

“Delivering this major engineering project now, under carefully managed and safe conditions, means that Metro will be fighting fit as the economy recovers.

“We have worked in detail with our contractor to make sure we are both happy this project can be carried out with respect to social distancing.”

A 250 metre stretch of track-bed will be replaced on the Crossgate viaduct – a key gateway into South Shields town centre.

While the four-day line closure is in place a replacement bus service, number 900, will be in operation between Hebburn and the new South Shields transport interchange, calling at or near all stations on the affected route.

The work forms part of the larger £8 million project to modernise Metro’s track and track-bed between Gateshead Stadium and South Shields, which began last year.

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