I don't think its Network Rails fault that the Overhead Wires round Brockely Whins is failing 24-7, There fault lies with the Overhead Equipment NEXUS chose for the section from Pelaw to South Hylton.
The overhead catenary I believe is Manufactured somewhere in Continental Europe and is not used on any other light or Heavy rail system in the UK ( Making it hard to source quick replacement parts ) and no knowledge of the Type of Gantrys used which just about says it all, add that to the fact there was no provision for future Electrification to 25KV AC for main line through running and that the project was Poundland quality ( Like all NEXUS Projects ) Also the only section of the whole network that's Unprofitable is Pelaw to South Hylton.
The Metrocars ( Class 994s ) are derived from the Stadtbahnwagen B which is a street tram in German which are only meant to serve stops every few hundred meters not 2 and a half Miles ( Between Fellgate and Pelaw. Pelaw to South Hylton is a Tram Train service served using only Tram style trains and so means there tottaly inappropriate to run the service for any amount of years never mind 13 Years. Until Common Sense prevails and the 994s get kicked out early with New Dual Voltage TRAM-TRAIN style Metrocars suited to this service and the Luaghable Infrastructure in place gets replaced by 25KV AC to allow Durham Coast electrification only then will this service work.
Or preferably just Electrify the line and run it as a Northern service using EMUs
RE: Tyne and Wear Metro