Metro hope after years of 'false dawns'

LOCALS in Washington hope that fresh promises of bringing the Tyne and Wear Metro to the town can finally bring an end to years of "false dawns".

- DANIEL HOLLAND

It was announced earlier this month that a new extension to the Metro system should be open by 2033, with much of the costs set to be covered by a £1.85bn transport funding pot handed to North East mayor Kim McGuinness.

Tuesday marked the first of nine public drop-in sessions giving residents the chance to find out more about the long-awaited rail project and offer their views on the scheme, which will use the northern section of the mothballed Leamside Line to create a loop between the existing Metro stations in Pelaw and South Hylton.

Dozens of people who turned out to speak to Nexus officials at the event got a closer look at the proposals, with more information revealed about where future Metro stations could be located.

While the plans are not finalised at this early stage, current indications are that the route would extend out from South Hylton and cross over the Victoria Viaduct before reaching a Washington South station to be located around the Fatfield and Teal Farm area.

Trains would then carry on to a Washington North stop in the vicinity of the Nissan plant and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, putting it within close reach of communities like Concord and Hertburn too, and then another station to serve Follingsby Park and the Amazon warehouse.