FAQs
Metro to Washington is a new extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro network, linking existing stations at Pelaw and South Hylton via Washington. The route follows the former Leamside Line until it crosses the River Wear, and then follows the former Penshaw to Sunderland railway, known as the Penshaw Branch, into South Hylton.
Three new stations are proposed: Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South. The exact station names, locations and facilities have not yet been decided.
Metro to Washington will reinstate the Leamside Line from Pelaw to Washington but does not include work to develop the Leamside Line from the River Wear down to Ferryhill. The North East Combined Authority is currently examining the feasibility of reopening this section, as part of a separate piece of work.
The project will be transformational for Washington and the wider Tyne and Wear area. It will give the almost 70,000 Washington residents easier and faster access to jobs, education and leisure across Tyne and Wear. It will also connect residents from outside Washington to two major job clusters around Nissan/IAMP, and Follingsby, and stimulate economic growth. Overall it is anticipated that it will generate eight million extra Metro journeys per year. Finally, it will reduce congestion, pollution, and carbon emissions on the region's roads.
The North East Combined Authority has provided over £8 million to develop the detailed design work and delivery plan. This significant piece of work includes detailed engineering and environmental surveys, designs of stations, track and other systems.
The eventual cost of Metro to Washington has been estimated as £900 million in the North East Local Transport Plan but a revised estimate will be produced.
We hope that Metro to Washington could be operational by 2033.
Before construction can begin, we need to develop outline designs, which consider physical conditions and environmental issues. A consultation process will be undertaken throughout.
Metro to Washington is expected to have a substantial positive environmental impact, reducing carbon emissions by around 87,000 tonnes per year, by removing almost two million car journeys per year from regional roads.
As a large construction project, it is inevitable that there will also be some negative environmental impacts, such as on vegetation and habitats. In collaboration with Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland City Councils, we will make every effort to avoid impacts where possible, and if this is not possible we will reduce the impacts and provide replacements.