A new signalling system is to be installed at the £70m Gosforth Metro depot as the state-of-the-art facility continues to get ready for the new train fleet.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said the work was vital for ahead of more new trains arriving, and the first one entering service at the end of the year.
Digital signalling systems will be installed and staff will move into a modern new depot control room overlooking the Gosforth site, which will be used to safely manage train access to and from the mainline.
The work, which is being undertaken by Stadler and its construction contractor Volker Fitzpatrick, is being packed into a single weekend in order to keep the amount of disruption to customers to an absolute minimum.
Nexus will be undertaking maintenance activities to maximise use of the closure. This includes track repairs between South Gosforth and Longbenton, signalling maintenance, station repairs and platform painting.
A line closure will be in place on Metro over the weekend of 24-25 June, as follows:
• No Metro services Jesmond-South Gosforth/Four Lane Ends until 6.15pm on Saturday 24 June.
• No Metro services South Gosforth-Airport all day Saturday 24 June and Sunday 25 June.
Where lines are closed customers will be provided with a frequent replacement bus service. Customers travelling through affected areas are advised to allow extra for their journeys.
Major Projects Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “This is an absolutely vital project to get the new Gosforth depot ready for the new Metro train fleet.
“A new digital signalling system is going to be installed at the depot, with the Stadler team moving into a modern, new, computerised panel room to manage train movements to and from the mainline.
“This really is a huge step change in the technology as we continue to get ready for the first new Metro trains entering service for customers.
“The bulk of the work packed into a single weekend, along with night shifts, in order to keep the amount of disruption to an absolute minimum.
“It will mean that some Metro lines will have to be closed over the weekend of 24 and 25 June. There is no good time to close a large section of the network and I apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will cause. Frequent replacement buses will be provided in areas where Metro service are not running.”
The line closure coincides with the final day of The Hopping fun fair on Newcastle Town Moor. The nearest station/replacement bus stop will be Haymarket during the day on Saturday 24 June, which is a 10-15 minute walk from the site.
During the weekend works there will be a replacement bus service 900 running from Monument to Four Lane Ends, and a 901 bus running from Monument to Airport on Saturday 24 June. On 25 June 901 bus will be running between South Gosforth and Airport. They will be in operation during the works and will call at or close to all Metro stations affected.
There will also be an express replacement bus service X901 which will operate a faster link between Newcastle city centre and Newcastle Airport every 30 minutes between 7.00am-9.30pm (approximate times) on Saturday 24 June and Sunday 25 June.
Metro services will resume between Jesmond and Four Lane Ends at approximately 6.15pm on Saturday 24 June, and between South Gosforth and Airport on Monday 26 June. Train times from 23-29 June have been revised, with some significant changes to some last and first train times so please check before travelling. Replacement bus services will be running.
Click here for more information about Metro services on 24/25 June.