Nexus confirm Metro suspension in Sunderland and surrounding areas until “early next week”
Written by Nathan Bell on 30th March 2023
Tyne and Wear Metro operator, Nexus, has confirmed that services in Sunderland the surrounding areas will be affected into next week as a result of damaged power lines.
Image Credit – Mark Hope / Alamy Images
Thursday, March 30 has seen heavy disruption along the green line between Pelaw and South Hylton, with a suspension in place for much of the day, which has caused great frustration among customers.
A press statement released at around 3.30pm acknowledged the disruption but insisted not a lot more can be done, especially as the line affected by power line damage – between Pelaw and Hebburn along the yellow line – duals up alongside National Rail infrastructure.
The statement read: “A total of 800 metres of overhead wire came down between Pelaw and Hebburn at around 6am on Thursday morning, 30 March.
“The cause of the fault is being investigated and repairs are underway.
“Metro services will remain suspended between Pelaw and South Shields and Pelaw and Brockley Whins until the overhead lines have been replaced by engineers.”
Metro Infrastructure Director, Stuart Clarke, said: “We’re sorry for the ongoing disruption to our customers.
“Our services through Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland are going to remain disrupted until early next week while we repair an 800-metre stretch of overhead line between Pelaw and Hebburn.
“The damage is extensive and is over a wide area. It will take us a few days to get this fixed. Our engineers are working flat out to get this problem rectified as quickly as they possibly can.
“The repair has been made particularly complicated by the fact that it is adjacent to the Network Rail overhead lines, and we need safety agreements in place on both sides in order to proceed.
“Customers who need to travel through the affected areas are advised to allow extra time to complete their journeys. Replacement buses are in operation when available to us, and we will have Metro ticket acceptance on local bus routes when needed.”
