£580 million for Tyne and Wear Metro improvements

Funding to provide track and station renewals up to 2021.

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan has announced £580 million funding for the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The investment will deliver greater accessibility with new lifts and escalators at stations, a complete refurbishment of the train carriages and renewal of ageing tracks and power lines.

It will also deliver improved travel information at stations due to upgrades of public information systems.

The funding package includes £350 million to be invested in renewals including track, signalling, communications and stations up to 2021, and £230 million in operating subsidy up to 2019.

For the first three years, work will concentrate on the sections from South Gosforth to Newcastle city centre and from Chillingham Road to Tynemouth, and the refurbishment of the key Interchange at Central station, Newcastle.

Khan said: "This historic decision provides the biggest ever investment in the future of the Tyne & Wear Metro since it opened 30 years ago."

"Passengers can look forward to smoother running trains, upgraded stations and a greater quality of service on existing lines. This decision also underlines the Government's commitment to maintaining the Metro to 2021."

Further information:
Tyne and Wear Metro