(19 Aug 2022, 9:03 am)Adrian wrote Not long to go now until the 12 week closure on the South Shields branch.

From the Nexus website:

Don't see the point in that X900, it's not much quicker. They would've been much better off doing a:

Fellgate -> Simonside -> Chichester -> South Shields (similar route to X20)

or

Howdon -> Jarrow -> Chichester -> South Shields

services instead and offer people to get places without sitting on a bus for unnecessary time and utilise the Metro that already runs in the area, especially as no doubt it'll be jammed between Heworth and Jarrow via Pelaw.

I was having a think about our local metro routes and if in there current form and timetable are viable long term or could some improvements be made to have the region better connected across the entire network, so I have came up with the following suggestions:

The Green/Yellow Routes remain as they are however operating on a reduced frequency to better match current demand and to allow the introduction of new Pink/Blue/Red and Orange Routes which are combinations of the existing Green/Yellows with each service operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Sunday Daytimes and Hourly in the Evening after 8pm.

Current Green Route - Airport - Callerton Parkway - Bank Foot - Kingston Park - Fawdon - Wansbeck Road - Regent Centre - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth - Pelaw - Fellgate - Brockley Whins - East Boldon - Seaburn - Stadium Of Light - St.Peter's - Sunderland - Park Lane - University - Millfield - Pallion - South Hylton

Current Yellow Route - St.James - Manors - Byker - Chillingham Road - Walkergate - Wallsend - Hadrian Road - Howden - Percy Main - Meadow Well - North Shields - Tynemouth - Cullercoats - Whitley Bay - Monkseaton - West Monkseaton - Shiremoor - Northumberland Park - Palmersville - Benton - Four Lane Ends - Longbenton - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth – Pelaw - Hebburn - Jarrow - Bede - Simonside - Tyne Dock - Chichester - South ShIelds

New Blue Route - Airport - Callerton Parkway - Bank Foot - Kingston Park - Fawdon - Wansbeck Road - Regent Centre - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth - Pelaw - Hebburn - Jarrow - Bede - Simonside - Tyne Dock - Chichester - South ShIelds

New Pink Route - Airport - Callerton Parkway - Bank Foot - Kingston Park - Fawdon - Wansbeck Road - Regent Centre – Longbenton – Four Lane Ends – Benton – Palmersville – Northumberland Park – Shiremoor – West Monkseaton – Monkseaton – Whitley Bay – Cullercoats – Tynemouth – North Shields – Meadow Well – Percy Main – Howden – Hadrian Road – Wallsend – Walkergate – Chillingham Road – Byker – Manors – St.James

New Red Route - St.James - Manors - Byker - Chillingham Road - Walkergate - Wallsend - Hadrian Road - Howden - Percy Main - Meadow Well - North Shields - Tynemouth - Cullercoats - Whitley Bay - Monkseaton - West Monkseaton - Shiremoor - Northumberland Park - Palmersville - Benton - Four Lane Ends - Longbenton - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth - Pelaw - Hebburn - Jarrow - Bede - Simonside - Tyne Dock - Chichester - South ShIelds

New Orange Route - St.James - Manors - Byker - Chillingham Road - Walkergate - Wallsend - Hadrian Road - Howden - Percy Main - Meadow Well - North Shields - Tynemouth - Cullercoats - Whitley Bay - Monkseaton - West Monkseaton - Shiremoor - Northumberland Park - Palmersville - Benton - Four Lane Ends - Longbenton - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth – Pelaw - Fellgate - Brockley Whins - East Boldon - Seaburn - Stadium Of Light - St.Peter's - Sunderland - Park Lane - University - Millfield - Pallion - South Hylton

(21 Aug 2022, 7:37 pm)Malarkey wrote I was having a think about our local metro routes and if in there current form and timetable are viable long term or could some improvements be made to have the region better connected across the entire network, so I have came up with the following suggestions:

The Green/Yellow Routes remain as they are however operating on a reduced frequency to better match current demand and to allow the introduction of new Pink/Blue/Red and Orange Routes which are combinations of the existing Green/Yellows with each service operating Every 30 Minutes Monday to Sunday Daytimes and Hourly in the Evening after 8pm.

Current Green Route - Airport - Callerton Parkway - Bank Foot - Kingston Park - Fawdon - Wansbeck Road - Regent Centre - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth - Pelaw - Fellgate - Brockley Whins - East Boldon - Seaburn - Stadium Of Light - St.Peter's - Sunderland - Park Lane - University - Millfield - Pallion - South Hylton

Current Yellow Route - St.James - Manors - Byker - Chillingham Road - Walkergate - Wallsend - Hadrian Road - Howden - Percy Main - Meadow Well - North Shields - Tynemouth - Cullercoats - Whitley Bay - Monkseaton - West Monkseaton - Shiremoor - Northumberland Park - Palmersville - Benton - Four Lane Ends - Longbenton - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth – Pelaw - Hebburn - Jarrow - Bede - Simonside - Tyne Dock - Chichester - South ShIelds

New Blue Route - Airport - Callerton Parkway - Bank Foot - Kingston Park - Fawdon - Wansbeck Road - Regent Centre - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth - Pelaw - Hebburn - Jarrow - Bede - Simonside - Tyne Dock - Chichester - South ShIelds

New Pink Route - Airport - Callerton Parkway - Bank Foot - Kingston Park - Fawdon - Wansbeck Road - Regent Centre – Longbenton – Four Lane Ends – Benton – Palmersville – Northumberland Park – Shiremoor – West Monkseaton – Monkseaton – Whitley Bay – Cullercoats – Tynemouth – North Shields – Meadow Well – Percy Main – Howden – Hadrian Road – Wallsend – Walkergate – Chillingham Road – Byker – Manors – St.James

New Red Route - St.James - Manors - Byker - Chillingham Road - Walkergate - Wallsend - Hadrian Road - Howden - Percy Main - Meadow Well - North Shields - Tynemouth - Cullercoats - Whitley Bay - Monkseaton - West Monkseaton - Shiremoor - Northumberland Park - Palmersville - Benton - Four Lane Ends - Longbenton - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth - Pelaw - Hebburn - Jarrow - Bede - Simonside - Tyne Dock - Chichester - South ShIelds

New Orange Route - St.James - Manors - Byker - Chillingham Road - Walkergate - Wallsend - Hadrian Road - Howden - Percy Main - Meadow Well - North Shields - Tynemouth - Cullercoats - Whitley Bay - Monkseaton - West Monkseaton - Shiremoor - Northumberland Park - Palmersville - Benton - Four Lane Ends - Longbenton - South Gosforth - Illford Road - West Jesmond - Jesmond - Haymarket - Monument - Central Station - Gateshead - Gateshead Stadium - Felling - Heworth – Pelaw - Fellgate - Brockley Whins - East Boldon - Seaburn - Stadium Of Light - St.Peter's - Sunderland - Park Lane - University - Millfield - Pallion - South Hylton

It's too complicated that imo. This would be better imo:

St James - Pelaw, Every 10 Minutes
Monkseaton - South Shields, Every 10 Minutes
Regent Centre - Pelaw / Park Lane (Peaks), Every 20 Minutes
Airport - South Hylton, Every 20 Minutes

Means you'd have the following frequencies

Airport - Regent Centre, 3 TPH
Regent Centre - South Gosforth, 6 TPH
South Gosforth - Monkseaton, 12 TPH
Monkseaton - St James, 6 TPH
South Gosforth - Pelaw, 18 TPH
Pelaw - South Shields, 6 TPH
Pelaw - Park Lane, 3 TPH (Day) / 6 TPH (Peak)
Park Lane - South Hylton, 3 TPH

Northern Trains, Newcastle - Middlesbrough, 2 TPH

It means the core sections have a frequent service during the day and the not so busy areas (South Hylton / Airport) have the service they really need. Both ends of the route are dead most the time.

Looks there was problems with the metro replacement tonight:

https://twitter.com/My_Metro/status/1569...VaU6Mc7CWA&s=19

(13 Sep 2022, 7:54 pm)Michael wrote Looks there was problems with the metro replacement tonight:

https://twitter.com/My_Metro/status/1569...VaU6Mc7CWA&s=19

Roadworks/3-way lights at Hebburn Fire Station causing huge delays. Not a particularly helpful Tweet.


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(13 Sep 2022, 8:04 pm)Dan wrote Roadworks/3-way lights at Hebburn Fire Station causing huge delays. Not a particularly helpful Tweet.


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And to re-route the 900 is going to be a pain, 


U-Turn at Pelaw, down the A184 to Leam Lane, down the B1306, along Monkton Lane, down Campbell park road, left down A185, then the first right. to Hebburn

Probably be around 20 mins, compared to the usual 5-7

https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/busin...washington

Nexus building their business case for funding of the Pelaw-South Hylton extension

(07 Nov 2022, 1:04 pm)54APhotography wrote https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/busin...washington

Nexus building their business case for funding of the Pelaw-South Hylton extension

How many cases will that be up to now, Nexus could of went on holiday over and over by the number of cases there put forward , wouldn’t get ya hopes though, probably only able to reach DB in Germany


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getting slated on the Sunderland forum i go on when Newcastle win. Goes no where near where it needs to according to the majority. White elephant??

(07 Nov 2022, 1:04 pm)54APhotography wrote https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/busin...washington

Nexus building their business case for funding of the Pelaw-South Hylton extension

Does the metro make money?

(07 Nov 2022, 2:17 pm)Rob44 wrote getting slated on the Sunderland forum i go on when Newcastle win.  Goes no where near where it needs to according to the majority.  White elephant??

Problem, as I pointed out on the echo Facebook page, is that Washington was developed around roads. the railway is on the very edge. Only possible stations would be Sulgrave/Seven Houses, Barmston and Fatfield, the latter the most unlikely because of development post districts. Certainly a park and rides near sulgrave would be extremely unappealing... 

I quite enjoy being a Newcastle fan in Sunderland, especially right now.

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(07 Nov 2022, 5:56 pm)Unber43 wrote Does the metro make money?

No.

(07 Nov 2022, 7:49 pm)54APhotography wrote Problem, as I pointed out on the echo Facebook page, is that Washington was developed around roads. the railway is on the very edge. Only possible stations would be Sulgrave/Seven Houses, Barmston and Fatfield, the latter the most unlikely because of development post districts. Certainly a park and rides near sulgrave would be extremely unappealing... 

I quite enjoy being a Newcastle fan in Sunderland, especially right now.

Wasn’t the Tyne dock to consett line joined the top of leamside line then became the C2C cycle route to the east to west of Washington. Can easily take out cycle route and replace it with metro lines, been done before when metro was extended to south Hylton


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(07 Nov 2022, 8:02 pm)cbma06 wrote Wasn’t the Tyne dock to consett line joined the top of leamside line then became the C2C cycle route to the east to west of Washington. Can easily take out cycle route and replace it with metro lines, been done before when metro was extended to south Hylton


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There is a path that runs alongside the Leamside from Seven Houses to Barmston. The C2C starts at Pattinson and uses mainly the trackbed to Consett. The metro would not impinge on the C2C route.

(07 Nov 2022, 8:24 pm)54APhotography wrote There is a path that runs alongside the Leamside from Seven Houses to Barmston. The C2C starts at Pattinson and uses mainly the trackbed to Consett. The metro would not impinge on the C2C route.

Yea, the c2c cycle route could be potential metro extension case in about 200 years time , shame that there’s nothing exists for the Sunderland to consett line between Sunderland and Washington as the north Hylton business park in the way now


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(07 Nov 2022, 8:35 pm)cbma06 wrote Yea, the c2c cycle route could be potential metro extension case in about 200 years time , shame that there’s nothing exists for the Sunderland to consett line between Sunderland and Washington as the north Hylton business park in the way now


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Blimey now that would be a long poke! putting metros over the Queen Alex 

(07 Nov 2022, 8:38 pm)54APhotography wrote Blimey now that would be a long poke! putting metros over the Queen Alex 

I thought that aswell the Sunderland to consett went past millfield and over qa bridge but it looked the trains went over wearmouth bridge then left past wearmouth pit then straight along , there was a YouTube video a few years ago that a cyclist took a video of the journey from consett to Sunderland along the cycle route and near enough the route at the Sunderland section end of the route


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(07 Nov 2022, 8:46 pm)cbma06 wrote I thought that aswell the Sunderland to consett went past millfield and over qa bridge but it looked the trains went over wearmouth  bridge then left past wearmouth pit then straight along , there was a YouTube video a few years ago that a cyclist took a video of the journey from consett to Sunderland along the cycle route and near enough the route at the Sunderland section end of the route


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Aye a reversal at Monkwearmouth would have enabled access to the old line, but even that closed relatively early. The QA would have been the most appropriate route but closed only 11 years after opening. Certainly, today the cheapest route for Nexus is the Leamside and to Hylton with a small chord at the south end of the Victoria viaduct

(07 Nov 2022, 7:49 pm)54APhotography wrote Problem, as I pointed out on the echo Facebook page, is that Washington was developed around roads. the railway is on the very edge. Only possible stations would be Sulgrave/Seven Houses, Barmston and Fatfield, the latter the most unlikely because of development post districts. Certainly a park and rides near sulgrave would be extremely unappealing... 

I quite enjoy being a Newcastle fan in Sunderland, especially right now.

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No.

If the metro doesn't make money, it shouldn't happen. 

Really if the metro is losing money, it might be millions each year, it should be shut, except it won't be as that would be too expensive.

(08 Nov 2022, 6:32 am)Unber43 wrote If the metro doesn't make money, it shouldn't happen. 

Really if the metro is losing money, it might be millions each year, it should be shut, except it won't be as that would be too expensive.

It's a public service, funded by ticket receipts, local authority and the DfT. 

It does not make a profit. It won't be closed, and it won't have three or four operators fighting over track access.

It would make money if they went to a london system with barriers/staff at evey station. the crocodiel was coming back from sheilds a while ago and these chav s ( her words) were on. they wanted to be in gateshead centre but decided to get off a gateshead stadium as they didnt have tickets and thought there would be checkies at gateshead. half a dozen of them... £12 quid minimum lost

(08 Nov 2022, 8:19 am)Rob44 wrote It would make money if they went to a london system with barriers/staff at evey station.  the crocodiel was coming back from sheilds a while ago and these chav s ( her words) were on. they wanted to be in gateshead centre but decided to get off a gateshead stadium as they didnt have tickets and thought there would be checkies at gateshead. half a dozen of them... £12 quid minimum lost

Oh yeah, it happens loads everyone gets off at Gateshead Stadium so they travel for free, aswell as loads get the under 15 ticket, even tho they're older.

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(08 Nov 2022, 8:17 am)54APhotography wrote It's a public service, funded by ticket receipts, local authority and the DfT. 

It does not make a profit. It won't be closed, and it won't have three or four operators fighting over track access.

Its a public service which loses millions, if it was a bus company it would be closed, its just because it would be too expensive to close which is why it is still open.

(08 Nov 2022, 8:19 am)Rob44 wrote It would make money if they went to a london system with barriers/staff at evey station.  the crocodiel was coming back from sheilds a while ago and these chav s ( her words) were on. they wanted to be in gateshead centre but decided to get off a gateshead stadium as they didnt have tickets and thought there would be checkies at gateshead. half a dozen of them... £12 quid minimum lost

Revenue protection is a massive failure as we all know, not sure what the last estimate of loss was, but it was substantial. Should be barriers at every station.

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(08 Nov 2022, 8:45 am)Unber43 wrote Oh yeah, it happens loads everyone gets off at Gateshead Stadium so they travel for free, aswell as loads get the under 15 ticket, even tho they're older.

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Its a public service which loses millions, if it was a bus company it would be closed, its just because it would be too expensive to close which is why it is still open.

Nowhere did I say it lost millions, the metro is the last bastion of public service we have. It isn't closing and that is that. alternative ticketing it being explored with may go towards ending the fare evasion that goes on.

(07 Nov 2022, 8:46 pm)cbma06 wrote I thought that aswell the Sunderland to consett went past millfield and over qa bridge but it looked the trains went over wearmouth  bridge then left past wearmouth pit then straight along , there was a YouTube video a few years ago that a cyclist took a video of the journey from consett to Sunderland along the cycle route and near enough the route at the Sunderland section end of the route


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It appears they did go over the QE Bridge at some point aswell as via Monkwearmouth Colliery (Stadium of Light)

https://www.railmaponline.com/UKIEMap.php - There's a good map here showing most the old rail lines. If only we had a network like it nowadays.

(07 Nov 2022, 1:04 pm)54APhotography wrote https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/busin...washington

Nexus building their business case for funding of the Pelaw-South Hylton extension

The business case is in the latest JTC agenda pack: https://northeastca.gov.uk/wp-content/up...1.2022.pdf
Page 169 - 188

Metro is early with its Christmas info - no timetables yet though.

https://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/updates?o...le-updates

(09 Nov 2022, 6:38 pm)Adrian wrote The business case is in the latest JTC agenda pack: https://northeastca.gov.uk/wp-content/up...1.2022.pdf
Page 169 - 188

That green lane station idea is genuinely pointless, one station In an area with three to use. A better idea would be to run it down the old trackbed in biddick hall which could have a potential two new stations, connecting people who genuinely don't have a metro service and a shorter less painful journey to east boldon. I also don’t know why they don’t on the washington line terminate it at shiney row, adding a station at penshaw then instead of creating loops it’s just one line. I know this is extremely ambitious but they could run the metro through cobalt making use of the old 3rd platform at north shields then taking a left at the top of the line and continuing to shiney or South Shields.

(14 Nov 2022, 11:42 pm)ALavery wrote That green lane station idea is genuinely pointless, one station In an area with three to use. A better idea would be to run it down the old trackbed in biddick hall which could have a potential two new stations, connecting people who genuinely don't have a metro service and a shorter less painful journey to east boldon. I also don’t know why they don’t on the washington line terminate it at shiney row, adding a station at penshaw then instead of creating loops it’s just one line. I know this is extremely ambitious but they could run the metro through cobalt making use of the old 3rd platform at north shields then taking a left at the top of the line and continuing to shiney or South Shields.

I agree with you Green Lane comment, but the entire idea of a line from Tyne Dock to East Boldon is pointless. Nobody goes from Green Lane or Biddick Hall to East Boldon, there's nothing there.. Stagecoach and Go serve the areas that yield custom between Shields and Sunderland. The route south of Washington won't go to Penshaw, it turns left after the viaduct, the loop is the only option and one that should have been done when the money was available from the development fund. Penshaw would gain a station on the heavy rail route from Pelaw to Durham via Brasside or Stockton via Ferryhill.

(17 Nov 2022, 8:51 pm)54APhotography wrote I agree with you Green Lane comment, but the entire idea of a line from Tyne Dock to East Boldon is pointless. Nobody goes from Green Lane or Biddick Hall to East Boldon, there's nothing there.. Stagecoach and Go serve the areas that yield custom between Shields and Sunderland. The route south of Washington won't go to Penshaw, it turns left after the viaduct, the loop is the only option and one that should have been done when the money was available from the development fund. Penshaw would gain a station on the heavy rail route from Pelaw to Durham via Brasside or Stockton via Ferryhill.

I tend to agree too. Especially when you look at the financial risk of DS6 (which includes the Tyne Dock to East Boldon link) vs DS8, which would still deliver the Wearside loop. Given that it's still linked by a relatively quick bus journey time on the 24.

I think if they got the Wearside loop signed off and started, then it'd give even more potential to reopening the Leamside in full. I assume the biggest cost to reopening is the structural work required on the Victoria Viaduct, and where the banking has collapsed through the Barmston area.

For me, the most problematic part of this, is the location for the Washington South station. Now I understand they're restricted by where the track bed runs, but from the diagrams, they've gone for the old station site on Swan Road/next to Barmston Court. This wouldn't give the station any kind of parking, it's not very accessible by foot, which means you're left on the whim of a bus operator to get you there. At least the North one will be in between two developments.

(17 Nov 2022, 9:29 pm)Adrian wrote I tend to agree too. Especially when you look at the financial risk of DS6 (which includes the Tyne Dock to East Boldon link) vs DS8, which would still deliver the Wearside loop. Given that it's still linked by a relatively quick bus journey time on the 24.

I think if they got the Wearside loop signed off and started, then it'd give even more potential to reopening the Leamside in full. I assume the biggest cost to reopening is the structural work required on the Victoria Viaduct, and where the banking has collapsed through the Barmston area.

For me, the most problematic part of this, is the location for the Washington South station. Now I understand they're restricted by where the track bed runs, but from the diagrams, they've gone for the old station site on Swan Road/next to Barmston Court. This wouldn't give the station any kind of parking, it's not very accessible by foot, which means you're left on the whim of a bus operator to get you there. At least the North one will be in between two developments.

Indeed the Barmston site would have little parking, the line does highlight how Wahington was developed with only roads in mind. I understand they also looked at the curve at between Pattinson and Fatfield, again though parking would be seriously hampered and it would be accessible only from the new build estate. Of course the work at Barmston and on the Victoria must be executed to heavy rail standards.

I also can't see any yield from a chord from Pelaw to Hebburn, the sheer land cost of that and heavy civils to create an embankment on land that naturally falls away to the river is staggering in conception.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...n-25555720

chronicle readers who live/work in washington think it will be a great idea.

Don't really know the place that well. I just visit the pubs so hopefully there will be a stop next to a few of them