 Nexus is investing a million pounds replacing six passenger lifts at stations across the Tyne and Wear Metro system. The work is part of the £300m Metro: All Change programme which will see Metro stations and trains modernised and millions spent on renewing track, overhead lines, communications and technology systems, bridges, tunnels and other structures. The new lift cars will be cleaner, quieter and they all will be fitted with CCTV cameras to improve security and clampdown on vandalism, which is one of the main reasons why lifts often breakdown on the Metro system. All new lifts will be fitted with the very latest technology which allows them to save energy when they are in use and also when they are on standby, helping to reduce Metro’s overall carbon footprint. The work to replace the passenger lifts will start in early July and will be carried out in phases running through until early 2010. Metro stations to get new lifts are Monument, Gateshead, South Shields, Central Station and Chichester on South Tyneside, where both lifts will be replaced. Director General of Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “The replacement of these passenger lifts is a major scheme and is part of our plans to modernise Metro through our All Change programme. “The work will cause some slight disruption but passengers will see the long term benefits in the shape of cleaner, brighter, smoother and more efficient passenger lifts at a number of key Metro stations. “Projects such as this are very much the tip of the iceberg. Now that the Government has committed £300m to Metro modernisation Phase Two we are looking to push ahead with a number of projects that will transform Metro and make it even better for our 40 million passengers a year.” Work will commence at Gateshead on July 6 when the lift from platform to concourse level will be replaced. The work is scheduled for completion by August 28. During the works passengers who require the use of a lift should alight at Central Station and they can use QuayLink with a valid Metro ticket or pass to get to Gateshead. There are also alternative buses from Heworth Interchange. The most frequent bus from Heworth into Gateshead Interchange is the Citylink service 58 (every 10 minutes); however, the typical journey time is 31 minutes. The Crusader service 27/27A operates every 15 minutes and take a much more direct route (typical journey time is 11 minutes). Nexus has not arranged for Metro tickets to be valid on these services so passengers should buy a Transfare if intending to use these routes. The work to replace the lift at South Shields Metro terminus starts on July 20 and is scheduled for completion on September 4. Passengers are advised to use the station’s access ramp while the lift is off. The lift which is to be replaced at Central Station is one that connects the Metro concourse with the mainline station concourse. Passengers who require the lift are advised to alight at Gateshead and use QuayLink with a valid Metro ticket or pass in order to get back to Central. The work on lift number two at Chichester Metro station will begin on September 21 and will completed by November 6. Lift number one at Chichester will be the final lift to be replaced and will be completed by early 2010. Passengers who require the lift are advised to travel to South Shields and use Chichester Lift No.2 on their return journey. The contractor who is installing the new lifts is Kone. Background
The Metro: All Change programme, backed by more than £300m investment by Government over the next 10 years, will deliver ambitious modernisation of the whole system.
All Change will let Nexus completely overhaul the tracks and technology which drives Metro to guarantee its future reliability.
But it will do more – modernised stations, passenger information, ticket machines and new control barriers will give travellers of the future the convenience they demand.
The refurbishment of the distinctive Metro train fleet and its long-term replacement will empower Metro to carry passengers in a level of comfort to compete with the car.
On top of that Nexus hopes to win funding for a second track to South Shields, more park-and-ride facilities and the rebuilding of major suburban interchanges.
It all adds up to a brighter, cleaner, better Metro for the future.
All Change: Three phases to Metro’s future
Phase 1 – 2008-2010: £55.2m investment
New ticket machines accepting notes and cards at all stations, and barriers at 13 main stations. Modernisation of Haymarket funded through private development. Upgrade of platform areas at Sunderland station. New station at Simonside, Metro’s 60th station, open March 2008. Modernisation programme for other stations. Overhaul of structures such as bridges and tunnels. CCTV and electronic displays on Metrocars. Overhaul of infrastructure and technology
Phase 2 – Starts 2010: £255.3m investment
Refurbishment of 90 Metrocars. Modernisation programme for 45 stations. New communications system. Overhaul and maintenance of structures such as bridges and tunnels. Overhaul of track and overhead power lines. Modernisation of other infrastructure and technology.
Plus: Possible additional funding for new station in South Tyneside; major investment in park and ride; second track alongside existing line Pelaw-South Shields; Rebuilding of South Shields, Heworth and North Shields stations.
Phase 3 – Starts 2019, funding yet to be secured.
New fleet of Metrocar trains. New signal system. New generation ticket machines. Overhaul and maintenance of structures, track and overhead lines. Further station improvements.
Why Metro Matters - Metro carries 133,000 passengers every weekday – at the lowest public subsidy of any comparable UK urban rail network.
- 10 million passengers pass through Monument Metro every year, making it one of the busiest rail stations outside the South East.
- One third of all households in Tyne and Wear use Metro at some point in their daily routines.
- 250,000 people live within walking distance of a Metro station.
- 55,000 students attend Tyne and Wear’s three universities – all served by Metro.
- One in six shoppers at Eldon Square complex arrive by Metro.
- 80,000 passengers travel to and from the Great North Run finish line in South Shields by Metro
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