Metro services in Sunderland will be reduced for the next few weeks after a freight train damaged an overhead line.
Nexus has announced that a 24-minute frequency will be in place on the Sunderland line while Network Rail waits for components to complete repairs.
The overhead line was brought down at Sunderland Station by a freight train on May 22, causing extensive damage and suspending the Metro between St Peter's and South Hylton until 10am today (Friday).
The section of the route is owned by Network Rail and Nexus said the repairs have been made more complicated by the age and low clearance of the tunnel.
Huw Lewis, customer services director at Nexus, said: “Metro services are now running all the way from Pelaw to South Hylton.
“Due to the scale of the repairs that our colleagues at Network Rail are undertaking we only have part of the line back in use, meaning we have to operate a reduced frequency of service on the Sunderland line.
“Network Rail are continuing to work on the damaged overhead lines at Sunderland station, but they anticipate it being a few weeks before this is completed. This is largely due to a wait for special component that they need to fix the overhead lines.
“Metro customers who need to use the service between Pelaw and South Hylton should allow extra time for their journeys until this issue resolved. We’re sorry for the disruption and inconvenience this is causing.”
From Monday, 1 June, there will be a 24-minute daytime Metro service frequency Pelaw to South Hylton.
During this time there will be a 12-minute daytime frequency from Airport to Pelaw and a 30-minute evening frequency from Airport to South Hylton.
Customers should only use platform one at St Peter’s and platform two at Sunderland.
