(Yesterday, 11:57 am)Economic505 wrote It makes a lot of sense having a loop. People in Washington so travel to Sunderland, as well as Newcastle. I have to say, there’s a lot of negativity towards this extension (not necessarily on these pages). I would like to see the entire Leamside line brought back into use , and this is a good start.
(Yesterday, 9:17 pm)Economic505 wrote As the line south of Pelaw is Network Rail, one has to ‘assume’ the leamside line (owned by network rail) is controlled by NR. I m sure all this is already taken care of. It follows that it’s BTP.
I think some of the negativity stems from the 'I've heard it all before' brigade, but they've clearly not read beyond the headline. This is the first time the plan has had funding committed by Government, which has always been the stumbling block. It's never been a lack of desire or ambition from local politicians - in fact, it's probably the one thing that has united them all.
As someone who lives there, I'd say that the links to Newcastle and Sunderland are equally as important for people here. Not to mention the onward travel that the significant cut in journey time would allow.
Phase 2/Leamside South appears to be very much the long-term ambition from what the Mayor has said today, so I'd expect to see Phase 1/Wearside Loop being under Network Rail, allowing for future heavy rail connections onto Phase 2. the FAQs allude to this: https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/metro-was...washington
There's also a number of public engagement sessions planned: https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/metro...-announced
• Tuesday 17 June: Washington Millenium Centre, Concord, Washington, 3:30pm-6.30pm
• Wednesday 18 June: Columbia Community Association, Hillthorne Close, Washington, 3:30pm-6.30pm
• Thursday 19 June: Tansey Centre, Church Street, South Hylton, Sunderland 3:30pm-6.30pm
• Monday 23 June: Mickey’s Place, St Michael's Church, Manor Road, Sulgrave, 10am-12pm
• Tuesday 24 June: Transform North East (Top Club), Manor Rd, Washington, 2:30pm - 5:30pm
• Wednesday 25 June: Washington Library, 0 Washington Highway, Washington, 3.30pm-6.30pm
• Thursday 26 June: Heworth Metro station, Gateshead, 8.30am-12pm.
• Monday 30 June: Hebburn Central, South Tyneside, 3.30-6.30pm.
• Tuesday 1 July: Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington, 3.30pm-6.30pm.