(08 Sep 2015, 12:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote Hopefully someone knows!
However, it does open up another question I have often pondered, with regard to why the Newcastle - Sunderland line fell under the PTE remit and the Blaydon - Newcastle stretch didn't.
The Sunderland to Newcastle line fell under the remit of the PTE due of the lack of Metro provision. It was always intended to make that section of line (including stations) part of the network...eventually.