As for the plans themselves. It's all pie in the sky once again. This is just a rehash of Project Orpheus from 2003. Local councillors are talking about it now as if it's a done deal, but not even the £300m has been granted for the rolling stock alone. Those proposed extensions in addition? They may as well times that figure by 4.
If I had a little more faith in the ability to deliver this project, I'd say two of the extensions have more merit than the others. Those being the Cobalt and Washington links.
1) Cobalt link should be pretty straight forward. Wasn't the Metro test track in that area? Is it still available for use? It'd also provide a fast link from Newcastle (currently 32 mins by bus)
2) Washington link would provide as many benefits for Network Rail and Nissan as it would for Metro. Reopening of the Leamside line, and creating a loop between the Viaduct and South Hylton would be the preferred option. Reopening the line all the way to Ferryhill would give the ECML extra capacity, and could also be extended to provide direct freight links from Nissan to the Port of Tyne.
Pie in the sky though.
