We don't want to close Metro again, say bosses

TYNE and Wear Metro bosses want to keep train disruption from the demolition of the Gateshead Flyover to an "absolute minimum", after the travel chaos that engulfed the system last Christmas.

- DANIEL HOLLAND AND AUSTEN SHAKESPEARE Reporters [e-mail]

Today marks six months since the closure of the flyover due to safety concerns last December, which resulted in a transport nightmare on Tyneside.

Due to fears the elevated concrete highway could collapse, Metro services running in the tunnels which pass underneath it had to be suspended for almost two weeks either side of Christmas until the structure could be adequately reinforced - severing a critical link between communities on either side of the River Tyne.