Nexus secures £300million Metro modernisation funding
15 August 2008
Simonside station, opened earlier this year, features in Phase 1 of the T&W Metro improvements. The structure was built by main contractor Balfour Beatty, while bespoke metalwork manufacturer Alpha Rail supplied 600 metres of railings for the station.
Nexus has secured a commitment of around £300million from Government to invest in the next phase of renewal and modernisation of the Tyne and Wear Metro. The exact figure is to be finalised over the next few months.
The announcement by Transport Minister Rosie Winterton to support Phase 2 of Metro Re-Invigoration is by far the biggest financial deal for the system since it opened in 1980. In addition, the Government has also made an equally significant commitment to underwrite the operating costs of Metro up to 2019.
Nexus¹s Metro Re-Invigoration plans are split into three phases covering the next 20 years and represent a detailed business and asset renewal plan to secure the system¹s future and modernise it to meet future passenger expectations.
The £50million Phase 1, already underway, comprises new ticket vending machines and barriers, a new station at Simonside which opened in March 2008, rebuilding of Haymarket and refurbishment of Sunderland stations and the overhaul of some bridges and tunnels.
Phase 2 will start in April 2010 and will last nine years. It includes modernisation of stations, provision of a new communications system to manage train movements, modernisation of overhead line equipment, the overhaul of numerous bridges and tunnels and complete refurbishment of the 90 cars that make up the Metro fleet.
A projected Phase 3 will start in 2019 following negotiations with Government. It will see up to a further £300million invested, principally in new rolling stock and a new signalling system. There will also be further investments in ticket machines, track, overhead lines, structures and stations.
The Metro network serves 60 stations and carries more than 40million passengers a year with passenger numbers rising by more than four million in the last three years
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