Nexus has published a £60m contract notice to provide all the infrastructure and services, testing and commissioning required to bring track dualling plans for the Metro into operation.
Full details of the extensive scope of the works can be found here. The contract will start next September and end in February 2023
The procurement is part of the Metro Flow programme and will allow the award of a contract to design and construct twin track from Pelaw to Bede, utilising, and upgrading the divested Network Rail track that runs parallel.
Nexus is the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive and operates and maintains the Metro Network, which serves a Tyne and Wear population of 1.13 million.
The Metro currently operates on two routes: (i) the Airport to South Hylton (green line); and St James to South Shields (yellow line). Both lines have a 12 minute daytime frequency with additional peak-time services.
These frequencies are the highest that can be delivered within the constraints imposed by existing infrastructure and rolling stock.
Nexus states in the contract notice: 'Poor frequencies, longer journey times and over-crowding deter non-users from trying the Metro, so change is necessary to prepare for the future. To enable more frequent services to operate and to extend the network, a step-change in network resilience and capacity is required. These three themes define the Metro Flow programme.'
Nexus administers funds on behalf of the Joint Transport Committee of the North East Combined Authority and the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
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