Metro 'committed' to end-of-year new train rollout

A new Metro train is still on track to enter service by the end of this month, a transport boss has said.

Stuart Clarke, infrastructure director at Nexus, told BBC Radio Newcastle the operator was "committed" to the end-of-year rollout, but would not confirm a date.

The launch of the £362m fleet, to replace the current outdated carriages, has been delayed several times due to testing, driver training and inflation.

"We are still committed, we are going to see a new train in customer service this month," Mr Clarke said.

Passengers were originally told the 46 Swiss-built trains would be introduced between summer 2023 and early 2025.

The initial target date was first moved to the end of 2023, before being pushed back to the start of 2024 and delayed further to the end of the year.

The system has been repeatedly hit by disruption, with a quarter of its trains breaking down in a single morning back in November.

Friday's closure of A167 Gateshead Highway flyover has also caused trains to run at a reduced speed in the area.

The network's tunnels are directly underneath the structure, which was shut over serious concerns with one of its concrete supporting pillars and is facing demolition.

Mr Clarke said Nexus would have to work "very closely" with Gateshead Council if the flyover was to be taken down.

"They are working on a solution right now, to have repairs done regardless of whether the flyover opens again or not to road vehicles," he said.

Mr Clarke said trains were running at 30km/h (18.6mph) through the section, instead of the usual 80km/h (49.7mph), but the measure was "entirely precautionary".

"For the time being, the 30km/h speed limit will remain, so what that means is we are running to all destinations, just not to timetable," he said.

He added other options were being looked at, including reducing the section for which the speed limit is in place.

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