(25 Mar 2014, 10:39 pm)Tom wrote I agree the Washington link would provide benefits for Network Rail and Nissan, in addition to the metro. However, the only problem I have with these proposed plans, is how it would effect the bus. I'm guessing journey times would be shorter than the X1 owing to the 6 minute frequency at Pelaw, and this would effect the X1 considerably, as the amount of passengers boarding/alighting at Washington is usually high. I'd hate to see such a popular service go downhill because of these extensions to the Metro.

X1 is a commercial operation, and the metro extension would be public money invested in a public service. I wouldnt lose sleep over a commercial organisations balance sheets not looking as healthy as they once were.

Washington to Newcastle journey times would be almost halved at an estimate from the current X1 times.

Although I would like to see both the rail and metro networks extended throughout Tyne and Wear and the North East in general, I think the plans unveiled by Nexus are overly ambitious and will probably not see light of day in its present form.

Of the proposed plans, only the South Shields to Sunderland and the Washington extension (either from Pelaw or South Hylton) are currently feasible. But even then, the Washington proposal is iffy as I seriously doubt it would ever go anywhere near to the Galleries. The mere suggestion of this is quite laughable. In agreement with others, I too think that Washington would be better served by heavy-rail with a parkway-type station around the Usworth/Barmston area which could increase connectivity with other areas of the North East (and the country) if the Leamside Line was ever reopened.

The Sunderland to South Shields link could be achieved through converting the freight line to Tyne Dock and by building a short chord between the freight and metro lines. It wouldn't be that hard to achieve as, up until the early 90s, a BR line ran parallel to the Metro line in order to serve Westoe Colliery - the remnants of which are still visible. However, the current plans seem to suggest the reopening of the Harton line - something which I don't think will ever happen.

As for the rest of the plans, I think that an extension into the West End of Newcastle and, perhaps, Doxford Park would have potential economic benefits in terms of rider-ship. But I believe that the geological strata beyond St James would make tunnelling very expensive and very difficult. An extension to Doxford Park would also be expensive, however, I have read that land has been reserved to make this a viable prospect in the future. The extension to Seaham is pointless it is already served by rail and the extension of the Metro would offer no real benefit in my view; and, as with Washington, Team Valley and Metrocentre would benefit more by extending the scope of the current rail-network.

Another point to consider is the current level of capacity of the Pelaw to Sunderland stretch of line. A Sunderland to South Shields extension would would obviously increase that capacity no matter which way it was routed and, unless the Doxford Park link ran to South Shields or terminated at Sunderland, that would also potentially increase capacity towards Newcastle.

Personally, I prefer the permanent way over roads as, in theory at least, it leads to less delays through traffic congestion resulting in quicker journey times. But I think Nexus really need to address problems currently facing the Metro network (in terms of reliability and rolling-stock) before embarking on any schemes towards expansion.

Re - those proposals.

They may have said 'all trains will be pulled by magical unicorns' as thats about as likely as this is

(26 Mar 2014, 10:38 am)gtom wrote Re - those proposals.

They may have said 'all trains will be pulled by magical unicorns' as thats about as likely as this is

Indeed. To crudely paraphrase a friend of mine "I wouldn't wipe my arse with these proposals as they contain so much shit that my arse would end up dirtier than before".

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...ce=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

PAYG Pop card trials launched

(25 Mar 2014, 9:18 pm)marxistafozzski wrote On the news today it was reported Nexus want to extend the Metro

Plans to expand the Tyne and Wear Metro



All in all the plan is for 22 new stations, as the picture above shows the plan is an extension to the West End of Newcastle, also to the MetroCentre, some of it will be street running trams

A new line from Pelaw to South Hylton forming a Wearside/South Tyneside Loop

A new line from South Shields to Doxford Park

A link from Northumberland Park to Silverlink

An extension to Seaham is also part of the plan.

According to the news it will close to 2030 by the time it is complete and will cost somewhere close to a Billion Quid...Where will nexus get that kind of money from to fund it???

What is peoples thoughts, personally I think if there going to come into Co. Durham, then Nexus should look at extending to Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington along the old Blyth and Tyne Line and also to Penshw and Fencehouses* Belmont to make use of the Durham Park and Ride...

I will have probably cashed my heavenly chips in at the big casino in the sky by the time this comes off

*Mr FPP spokesman, would the FPP support a rail service either light or heavy coming your way

Wonder if eezypeazy came up with this idea.

(27 Mar 2014, 7:30 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Wonder if eezypeazy came up with this idea.

It has missed out Fencehouses - so quite possibly

(26 Mar 2014, 1:02 pm)AdamY wrote Indeed. To crudely paraphrase a friend of mine "I wouldn't wipe my arse with these proposals as they contain so much shit that my arse would end up dirtier than before".

The proposals were brought up in the Common Room today - I had to paraphrase that line myself!

Has anyone had the email from Nexus re POP Card PAYG trials?

(04 Apr 2014, 12:04 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Has anyone had the email from Nexus re POP Card PAYG trials?

Yep

Having a read of a couple of documents on the NEXUS site about the metro extensions

http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...cument.pdf - Metro Strategy 2030 Background Information


http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/fi...cument.pdf - Metro Strategy 2030, Draft Summary
Consultation Document, March 2014

Good read so far

noted 4004 back in service after refurbishment. I believe 4009 is away at Doncaster.[/align]

Nexus to close three travelshops, quite surprised at Monument.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-26976473

(10 Apr 2014, 5:13 pm)citaro5284 wrote Nexus to close three travelshops, quite surprised at Monument.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-26976473

I suppose it's came simply down to usage figures when they've looked at the three travel shops they've had in Newcastle. Disappointing all the same.

Hideous delays on the green line this evening. Timetable was non-existent, that's for sure!

(10 Apr 2014, 8:12 pm)Dan wrote Hideous delays on the green line this evening. Timetable was non-existent, that's for sure!

Too dark. Metro apologises.

(10 Apr 2014, 8:32 pm)aureolin wrote Too dark. Metro apologises.

Metro apologises
4 hours ago
Much late. Very railway. Such trains. So commuting. Wow - Trains delayed, metro apologises.

Apparently a nasty smash at Fellgate has knocked the metros off.
Air ambulance flew over mine a short while back, so not looking good

Current farce at Brockley Whins no metros running between here and Pelaw. One just arrived from Sunderland used the crossover and headed back to Sunderland plenty of disgruntled pax knocking about. Spoke to a punter and the driver said some sort of crane has hit a bridge between here Pelaw even the police helicopter is out. Another metro just arrived from Sunderland and caped.

(13 Apr 2014, 11:41 am)alibill_36 wrote Current farce at Brockley Whins no metros running between here and Pelaw. One just arrived from Sunderland used the crossover and headed back to Sunderland plenty of disgruntled pax knocking about. Spoke to a punter and the driver said some sort of crane has hit a bridge between here Pelaw even the police helicopter is out. Another metro just arrived from Sunderland and caped.

This might explain what is happening

(13 Apr 2014, 1:20 pm)AIG20 wrote This must be a nasty crash if BOTH the A194 is shut (since Stagecoach services 10 and X20 are having to divert) and the Metro trains are suspended. This will be the third nasty crash in the space of two months on the A194 (between Lindisfarne Roundabout and the Mill Lane Hebburn Roundabout).

The truck has hit the metro bridge over the A19

Full News Story here - http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local...-1-6559046

System wide delays on Metro, due to a "technical fault" at Haymarket.

4074s announcements are a tad broken. I was on from Gateshead to Heworth and it announced 'the next station is' and 'this station Is' for every station to south shields, followed by a 'this train terminates here' when we got to felling. :p.

There are delays of up to 20 mins to trains running between Gateshead and South Shields and South Hylton due to an ambulance attending.

(01 May 2014, 3:55 pm)Tom wrote due to an ambulance attending.

Aye think that was the info what Nexus had put out when in actual fact I counted 4 fire engines, four ambulances and god knows how many police vehicles parked up allover the place.

1608 Metro due to turn up at 1625. Love delays.

(06 May 2014, 3:21 pm)Dan wrote 1608 Metro due to turn up at 1625. Love delays.

Trains were off between Pelaw and Heworth around half an hour ago due to a "police incident".

(06 May 2014, 3:44 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Trains were off between Pelaw and Heworth around half an hour ago due to a "police incident".

Wouldn't have thought that affected my train (should have passed through Pelaw at 1528)?
I just pity the lad from my school that gets the Metro all the way back to Callerton Park from Park Lane..

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-6607526

TRANSPORT Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has agreed to explore plans to expand the Metro system into Washington.

Proposals to extend the Wearside Metro line and create new stations in Washington, as well as in Doxford, Ryhope and Seaham were revealed earlier this year by transport executive Nexus.

The extension project would require massive investment. Nexus is mid-way through a project to refurbish existing stations, facilities and trains, which is costing £500million.

Mrs Hodgson has now raised the issue with the Transport Secretary in Parliament, and secured his backing for more discussion on the project.

She said: “The Secretary of State will be aware that the rolling stock on Tyne and Wear metro is undergoing refurbishment, but that is little consolation to the residents of Washington who do not even have a station.

“Nexus has recently outlined plans for three stations in Washington as part of an extension to the Metro network, and the North East local enterprise partnership has agreed to undertake the business case.

“Will the Secretary of State commit his officials to working closely with both parties to ensure that the business case is as strong and compelling as it can be?”

Mr McLoughlin replied: “I can give the honourable Lady that assurance. The Newcastle Metro has been running for some time and is now undergoing a desperately needed upgrade.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the original Metro regenerated areas that had been in serious decline. We are always looking at ways in which we can best expand those services.

“I am more than happy for those conversations to take place.”

A petition bearing 1,500 signatures – set up by young campaigner Adam Robson – calling for the Metro to be extended to Washington was also tabled in Parliament this week by Mrs Hodgson.

New stations would include Premier Road, Alnwick Road, Doxford, Ryhope, Seaham, The Galleries and two others in Washington.

There have been calls for years for the Metro system to be extended to Washington and other parts of western Sunderland, perhaps using the mothballed Leamside Line.

Taking the Metro to Doxford Park perhaps by using tram-style vehicles, was also suggested as a way of easing parking congestion at the busy business estate.

There are also plans for new-style Metro trains to run on the routes.