Work has started on the refurbishment of two of Newcastle’s busiest suburban Metro stations as part of the £385m Metro: all change modernisation programme.
The twin projects at South Gosforth and West Jesmond will improve facilities for more than four million passengers who use the stations every year.
The refurbishments will see the approaches to both stations from surrounding streets made clearer, brighter and more accessible for local people, particularly those with wheelchairs or childrens’ buggies.
Better seating, tactile flooring, double-height handrails and improved lighting will make platforms and ramps easier and more comfortable to use, while buildings and platforms will also be fully refurbished.
Both South Gosforth and West Jesmond will also see new smart ticket machines installed during the modernisation work.
Nexus, which owns, manages and is modernising Metro, said the work is expected to take about 15 weeks to complete. Both stations will remain open, but there will be limited platform closures after 8pm on some nights.
Raymond Johnstone, Nexus Rail Director, said: “South Gosforth and West Jesmond are two of Metro’s busiest suburban stations and will benefit greatly from refurbishment.
“We are concentrating investment on improving accessibility for all passengers, from the moment they leave the street right onto the train, while giving both stations a clean and bright updated image.
“By linking these projects we can reduce inconvenience to passengers while investing in Metro in the most efficient way possible.”
Platforms will be closed after 8pm one at a time across both stations, to reduce inconvenience to passengers, who may have to travel one or two stops the ‘wrong way’ when this is the case. Details will be posted in advance at stations and online at nexus.org.uk
Nexus has scaled back original plans for the stations, first revealed last year. They will not now have new structures to house gate lines, with existing buildings refurbished instead following a review of costs and benefits from the work.
Nexus has already rebuilt North Shields station and refurbished six others in the past three years as part of Metro: all change modernisation.