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Thousands of passengers will benefit from the opening of a new £5.7m Metro station on North Tyneside. Northumberland Park, at Backworth near Whitley Bay, will open on Sunday and will play a major role in providing access to jobs and services. It boasts a 60 space park and ride facility that will serve around 1,500 nearby homes. Metro operators Nexus is delighted to be opening the new station and says it represents a major boost for public transport on North Tyneside. Director General of Nexus Mike Parker said: “I am absolutely delighted we are opening the first new Metro station on North Tyneside in almost 25 years. “It promises to be a real shot in the arm for the area and it is a major boost to the thousands of residents living at nearby Northumberland Park, who now have easy access to the Metro with a park and ride facility. “Not only will this help to cut down on traffic congestion it will provide people who don’t have cars with another option for accessing jobs, essential facilities and leisure opportunities.” North Tyneside Council's elected Mayor John Harrison welcomed the new metro station. He said: “Regeneration is one of our top priorities and the ongoing development of the borough is incredibly important to North Tyneside. “Northumberland Park is one of the region’s major growth points in terms of housing and jobs and it is vital for people living and working there that it is fully and easily accessible by good public transport links. It's also about giving people the opportunity to use environmentally sustainable transport rather than always having to rely on cars.” Northumberland Park is the 59th station to be opened on the Metro system since it first started 25 years ago. It was developed and part-funded as part of the Stephenson Link project which aims to stimulate economic regeneration on both sides of the river Tyne. The new station is seen as a focal point for major regeneration and is expected to enjoy patronage figures that will put it within the top five non-central stations within five years, say Nexus. Funding was provided by Northumberland Estates (£3.35m), Bellway Homes (£1.6m) and from the Local Transort Plan (£800,000). Work on the station began in March 2004 and went right on schedule for the December 2005 opening date. The Stephenson Link project consists of four main elements. Design, installation and construction of a new ferry landing at North Shields (installed in 2004). Introduction of the Route 19 bus service serving the North Shields ferry landing, trading estates, Silverlink retail and leisure park, Cobalt business estates and the housing at Northumberland Park. Refurbishment of Percy Main Metro station and the construction of Northumberland Park Metro station.
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