Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising Metro, is holding a drop in session on Tuesday February 1 to give local residents the chance to learn more about multi-million pound plans to rebuild North Shields Metro station.
The drop in session, which will be attended by Nexus staff and staff from its train operator DB Regio Tyne and Wear Ltd, is at the Saville Exchange on Howard Street in North Shields, 2pm-7pm.
People will have the chance to speak to Nexus and DB staff on a one-to-one basis about the plans for North Shields station and what the modernisation work will involve.
Director of Rail and Infrastructure for Nexus, Ken Mackay, said: “We have exciting plans to redevelop North Shields Metro station and we want to keep people fully informed about the scale of the work.
“Nexus staff will be there to talk through any issues on an informal basis and to provide details of what’s going to happen on the site as the work gets underway.
“This is a significant building project, but we want to minimise disruption to our neighbours as far as possible, and we are working with our contractors, neighbours and North Tyneside Council to achieve this.”
Nexus’ plans for North Shields Metro station form part of its £385m Metro: all change programme, which will see stations and trains modernised over the next 11 years.
The new station will create an attractive new gateway for North Shields town centre. The entrance and passengers corridors will be brighter and wider, with more natural light to improve security. Stairways will be widened and lifts between the concourse and platforms added for the first time. A bigger Travelshop and taxi office will be included.
Above the platforms a new awning will give greater protection to passengers, with improved seating and information. The station will also have ticket barriers, to control fraud and anti-social behaviour, and new ticket machines taking coins, notes, cards and smartcards.
The building project will run from February until December. Temporary ramped entrances will be created at the lower ends of the platforms, allowing us to demolish the existing building and create a new one without closing the station for long periods.