Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising Metro, is replacing the footbridge which crosses the lines at Benton Metro station this Sunday, January 9, as part of its plans to modernise the station.
The plans for Benton include the dismantling of the old footbridge linking the north and south platforms and construction of a new bridge with new stairs and two new passenger lifts.
The work forms part of the £385m Metro All Change programme which will see the network modernised over the next 11 years, including stations and trains.
The existing footbridge will be lifted out using a 40 metre crane on Sunday morning at around 9.30am.
Benton Metro station will be closed all day on Sunday to allow the work to take place. No Metro trains will be running between South Gosforth and North Shields, but there will be a replacement bus service in operation.
The crane will be back on site at Benton on Sunday January 16 to lift concrete sections into place to form a new lift shaft on Platform 2. Work will commence from 12.30am. The station will again be closed to the public.
On Sunday January 30 the crane will return to lift the new footbridge into place. The station will again be closed.
Director of Rail and Infrastructure for Nexus, Ken Mackay, said: “The removal of the footbridge at Benton Metro station this weekend is a major phase of our modernisation work there.
“We apologise for the inconvenience the removal of the bridge will cause. The work is absolutely necessary and in the long run it will make life easier for people who use the station. It will also give the station a fresh new look.”
The whole line between South Gosforth and North Shields will be closed on Sundays 9, 16 and 23 January, and on Saturday and Sunday 29-30 January. This is to allow for both the bridge works at Benton, other bridge works at Shiremoor and Monkseaton, and the replacement of signal cables and ducts alongs the entrire stretch.