Nightworks

Metro night working - what our neighbours need to know

We are responsible for Metro’s infrastructure. Sometimes it is necessary to carry out work to ensure Metro can continue to run. We appreciate this may cause some disruption to our customers and neighbours and we thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Our teams work extensively on the network every night, carrying out inspections, patrols and maintenance works, cleaning and clearing litter while trains are not in service. Metro is one of the UK’s busiest railways and needs looking after, so some noise and disturbance for our neighbours is to be expected.

We provide updates on any large-scale engineering projects taking place across the Metro network – those involving the use of heavy or particularly noisy machinery.  These works include:

• Lineside estate work (strimmer machines, chainsaws, etc)
• Track renewal (ballast, tamping, etc)
• Station cleaning (jet washing)
• Major projects (Depot works, etc)

At times emergency works may take place which are not included in the schedule. Due to their nature, we are unable to provide advance notice. 

(UPDATED) Click here for schedule of night-time working from Monday 17 March 2025

Click here for schedule of night-time working from Monday 10 March 2025

Our information covers all parts of the Metro network on Tyneside, and stations only between Pelaw and South Hylton.   The tracks between Pelaw and South Hylton are owned and maintained by Network Rail and we only provide information on station improvement works on this section of the line.

You can keep up to date by:

• Signing up to receive weekly night working email updates by contacting Customer Relations
• Calling the Customer Relations on 0191 20 20 747 (9.00am-5.00pm)

Why work during the night?

Many of the complex maintenance tasks can’t be carried out safely while Metro trains are in service and the overhead lines are live. As a result, most of the work can only be carried out safely between midnight and 4.30am.

Types of work:

• Graffiti removal
  We have a team working round the clock dedicated to removing graffiti. Their work involves the use of high pressure washers and generators.
   
• Cable maintenance
  There are thousands of kilometres of cables running about the Metro network. These run alongside the track and drive Metro's signalling system, ticket machines and passenger information systems - replacing this cabling is essential and can involve heavy machinery to dig new trenches, as well as power tools to cut and lay cables themselves.
   
• Lineside estate management
  Keeping the Metro lines clear of overhanging foliage and trees involves the use of chainsaws and mechanical hedge cutting equipment.  This is mostly done in daytime during line closures but at times, and in emergencies, tree surgeons can work at all hours. 
   
• Level crossing repairs
  There are five level crossings on the Metro infrastructure and major repairs at these crossings involve replacing the rails and the road surface, using power tools and sometimes heavy machinery.
   
• Overhead line maintenance
  The overhead power lines supply the electricity Metro trains need to run. These cables need to be kept free of any obstructions and renewed from time to time. Special platforms are used so workers can access these cables.  The work itself is not very noisy, but involves a special train moving up the line and people working at height, from which noise may travel further. 
   
• Station platform and bridge repairs
  Metro bridge works involve structural repairs. Work to station platforms vary from station to station but one common type of work is to repair damage to the platforms and platform edges, done at night using power tools.
   
• Station cleaning
  All our stations are jet-washed every four weeks to keep them clean and odour-free; because of the amount of water used this can only be done at night when there are no passengers about, and requires use of a generator to power the hoses.
   
• Track renewal
  The Metro tracks see thousands of trains pass over them every day - this causes wear and tear and eventually the rails need replacing.  Track renewal usually involves power tools and heavy machinery to lift rails and concrete sleepers, so will be amongst the noisiest work.  
   
• Track ballast tamping
  This involves making sure that the bed of stones supporting the Metro tracks is in good order and perfectly level.  A large and slow-moving railway vehicle known as a tamper carries out this work, and may have to move back and forth across a single section for periods of up to an hour.  Click here to watch a video of Metro track tamping.
   
• Track and embankment cleaning
  Staff walk every part of our track at regular intervals removing light rubbish and dealing with any vegetation causing an obstruction. At times larger specialist machines are used to cut back bushes and scrub. 
   
• Weed spraying
  It is important to keep the Metro track areas free of weeds - a programme of weed spaying is carried out every year in the late spring and early summer.  The spray is contained well within the confines of the Metro track and the level of noise from this work is minimal.