The Government has confirmed it will fund the upgrade of the signalling system on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
This investment, which was announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) on Tuesday 8 July, will enhance journey times, improve reliability and safety, and enable future expansion of the Metro network.
Signalling is a safety critical asset on Metro. Without it, the system cannot run.
The current signalling system, a traditional arrangement involving mechanical relays and track circuits, was implemented in the 1970s with a 30–40-year design life.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “We’re delighted the Government has today made a commitment to fund the upgrade of the signalling system on the Tyne and Wear Metro. We can now look forward to taking this essential modernisation project forward as we deliver on the Mayor’s vision for a world-class integrated transport network.
“Signalling is the safety-critical system which underpins the operation of our Metro system. Without signals we can’t run the trains. We’ve had the same signalling technology since the late 1970s and it needs to be replaced. We are working with analogue technology in a digital era.
“This investment is going to be critical for Metro’s future, and critical for the whole region. A new signalling system is what we need to ensure the long-term future and sustainability of Metro, and pave the way for future route expansion, which is vital for growth, jobs and connectivity.”