Nexus today welcomed Tony Blair’s pledge to look closely at the £600m proposals for Metro re-invigoration.
Nexus today welcomed Tony Blair’s pledge to look closely at the £600m proposals for Metro re-invigoration. During Prime Minister’s questions Mr Blair acknowledged the importance of the Metro system to the people of Tyne and Wear – and while he couldn’t give a firm answer over the Nexus bid for Metro renewal he said that he would look at it ‘very closely’. The Prime Minister was asked to support Metro re-invigoration by Tyne Bridge Labour MP David Clelland who said a successful bid was vital in order to help the region to tackle congestion and economic deprivation. Chairman of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority, Cllr David Wood, said: “I welcome Mr Blair’s comments on Metro re-invigoration because it’s a service that is vital to everyone on Tyne and Wear “Mr Blair’s reply clearly shows that we have taken this issue to the heart of government and demonstrates that the Prime Minister recognises the importance the issue of fresh investment in the Metro. “I am now looking forward to further meetings with ministers on this matter throughout the coming year and remain confident that our bid will win favour in Whitehall and be successful.” He added: “Our bid will secure the Metro’s long term future. Every £1 invested in Metro Re-Invigoration is worth several times that in supporting the local economy compared to letting Metro gradually decline and fail because Metro keeps roads clearer and allows people travel more easily and flexibly for work.” Nexus, the Metro operator, needs £600m over the next 20-years in order to prevent Metro from going into decline by 2018. Nexus’ plans which would provide for the substantial overhaul and modernisation of the system’s 59 stations, 90 Metrocars and 56km of track, tunnels and power supply within its own control (a further 22km is owned by Network Rail in Sunderland). The programme would provide: - New ticket machines at all stations capable of taking notes, debit cards and smart cards by 2009, Ticket barriers at 13 main stations to control fraud by 2009.
- Complete £13m refurbishment of existing Metrocars and their future replacement with a new generation fleet costing £163m.
- More than £63m spent modernising stations to improve waiting areas, information and walking routes.
- The complete overhaul of signalling, communications, track, bridges and tunnels – the oldest of which date back to 1847.
Nexus will also seek funding for the substantial modernisation of North Shields, South Shields and Heworth stations and better park-and-ride facilities at other stations. Re-Invigoration is necessary to secure the future of the system at a time when passenger numbers are rising as urban re-development is increasingly focussed in the city centres of Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland which Metro serves.
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