Hopes new Metro line will end 'false dawns'
Tyne and Wear MetroThe promise of a town's new Metro service will boost jobs and travel, locals have said.
It was announced earlier this month that a new Tyne and Wear Metro extension to Washington on Wearside would open in 2033, with £1.85bn government investment.
Kevin Fairish, from Concord, said there had been too many "false dawns" and the new service would boost jobs and make travel easier.
It will be the first extension to the system in 30 years.
Nexus has organised a series of drop-in sessions and the next takes place on Monday at St Michael's Church in Sulgrave, between 10:00 BST and midday.
Mr Farish, 57, said: "We would use it for going into the city centres, Sunderland and Newcastle, and it would be much quicker if you are going in to see concerts or whatever else.
"There have been too many false dawns with this before, so I hope it does happen.
"It will be good for jobs too, especially if it is going to Nissan and Follingsby Park."
Plans are not yet finalised, but the proposal is for the route to extend from South Hylton and cross over the Victoria Viaduct, before reaching a Washington South station to be located in the Fatfield and Teal Farm area.
Trains would then carry on to a Washington North stop near the Nissan plant and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, near Concord.
Another station to serve Follingsby Park and the Amazon warehouse is also planned, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
NexusPaul Hillman, 47, said he really hoped the new service would become a reality.
"I think they are missing a trick by not having a stop at the end of Penshaw, there seems to be a very long stretch of track with no stops on it at the moment," he said.
"I have lived in Washington for 20 years and for all that time this has been that carrot which has been hanging down in front of us.
"As long as it does happen, I'll be really happy."
Martin Forster, 36, of Usworth, said it would be great to "have an extra choice with public transport and not be stuck in traffic for two hours every day", amid ongoing frustration over construction work on the A1 and the closure of the Gateshead Flyover.
'Finally going to happen'
Nexus said it wanted public feedback on where stations should be located and how the extension would integrate with local buses.
Tom Hardwick, head of system development at Nexus, said: "This is the opportunity for people to ask questions but also for us to get their views.
"When we introduced our new fleet we got something like 23,000 comments and interactions on how we best design a new train.
"If we get anything near that for this project it would be fantastic."
Local resident Sue Forster added: "I got excited at the first mention of this 20 years ago, but it feels like it is finally going to happen this time.
"It is so frustrating at the moment having to get the bus into town or to a Metro station, getting into Newcastle takes about 45 minutes now."