Undoubtedly.
Whilst not perfect, it would at least be understandable if the failure was south of the blockade (e.g. no reserve trains stationed at pelaw, or such like). But that this happened on the section of line running right past the depot rather smacks more of no driver resource.
Which really should not have been the case because excess drivers should have been available today due to the planned section of route without service "freeing up" staff.
Utter shambles.
RE: Tyne and Wear Metro