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Metro Shutdown: Essential Safety Upgrades Underway
5 Apr
Summary
- Critical safety systems are being upgraded at the South Gosforth depot.
- The SCADA system, over 40 years old, requires modernization.
- Replacement buses will serve passengers during service disruptions.
The Tyne and Wear Metro network is scheduled for temporary shutdowns to facilitate essential upgrades to its critical safety equipment. These improvements are being implemented at the South Gosforth depot, targeting systems responsible for overhead power lines, lighting, and fire alarms. The primary focus of this modernization is the replacement of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which has been in operation since the Metro's inception in 1980 and is now over 40 years old.
To minimize passenger impact, the upgrades are strategically scheduled during periods of lower travel demand. Specific service disruptions include a complete network shutdown on Easter Monday between 05:00 and 10:00 BST. Additionally, there will be no service between Pelaw and South Hylton from 23:30 on Sunday, May 3, until 10:30 the following morning. Nexus, the Metro operator, urges passengers to plan for longer journeys and utilize the replacement bus services that will be provided during these times. The new SCADA system is anticipated to significantly enhance fault-finding capabilities and operational oversight.
