(15 Jan 2022, 4:25 pm)deanmachine wrote Even if the Metro is extended from South Shields to Sunderland like they've been hinting, it won't be faster than the 20 currently is, not unless they plan on gong through Harton underground.
The route which was originally mooted was the West Harton Line which might have generated a journey time comparable to the 20 depending on how many stations were built. Another option was reinstating the curve from Tyne Dock station to the Tyne Dock freight line which, once again, might have generated a comparable journey time. The latest idea mooted in the press, operating to Hebburn and onto the Leamside Line using the old Monkton Colliery alignment, then looping around to South Hylton before continuing Sunderland is the most gluebag yet and certainly won't win any passengers wishing to travel between South Shields and Sunderland.
None of this matters though as we'll all probably be dead before any ground is broken.