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Metro Flow

The Metro Flow project saw an existing freight line upgraded and electrified in South Tyneside. The project ensured the line is capable of carrying Metro services, boosting the capacity for an extra 24,000 passenger journeys every day and increasing the frequency of Metro trains system-wide from 12 minutes to 10 minutes (between 7.00am and 7.00pm). This investment ensured Metro passengers across the network benefit from increased frequencies and reliability.

Project details

Portfolio: Transport

Area: Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland

Funding amount: £94 million

Project status: Complete

Delivery partner: Nexus

Key contact: Dawn Badminton-Capps

Key contact email: dawn.badmintoncapps@transportnortheast.gov.uk

Page last updated 25-04-2024

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In order to successfully complete this project, three sections of single track totalling five kilometres were dualled between Pelaw and Bede Metro stations alleviating capacity issues.

Not only does the Metro Flow project increase frequency and capacity, but it improves reliability and better support for major regional events including the Great North Run, Sunderland International Airshow, stadium concerts, and major sporting events. 

Project benefits

Benefits of the Metro Flow project include:

  • the potential to increase the frequency of Metro trains
  • the potential to boost the capacity by up to 24,000 extra passenger journeys every day
  • improve reliability and allow quicker recovery from major disruptions
  • better support for major events including the Great North Run, Sunderland Airshow, stadium concerts, and major sporting events
  • unlock the door to the expansion of the Metro system