A business case to replace the signalling system on the Tyne and Wear Metro has been officially submitted to the Government.
The bid backed by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has been put together by Nexus, the public body which runs Metro, to make the strong case for investment in signalling.
Major investment, estimated at around £400 million, is required to replace Metro’s original signalling system, which dates from the construction of the system in the 1970s and 80s. Signalling is a safety critical asset on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Without it, the Metro cannot run.
The case was submitted to ministers at the end of last year, and it has now been reviewed by the Department for Transport (DfT) transport board and endorsed to move to the next phase of the development process.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said:
“It’s absolutely vital that we replace the signalling system on Metro.”
“We have submitted our Strategic Outline Business Case to demonstrate the need for replacement and that has now been reviewed by the DfT. We will now progress to the next stage of development and will remain in dialogue with the Government about this very important issue.
“Signalling is the safety-critical system which underpins the operation of our Metro system. Without signals we can’t run our trains. We’ve had the same signalling technology since the late 1970s and it needs to be replaced. We are working with analogue technology in a digital era.
“This investment is critical for Metro and critical for the whole region. A new signalling system is what we need to ensure the long-term future and sustainability of the Metro and also to pave the way for any future expansion, which is vital for growth, jobs and improved connectivity.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The North East needs funding to update the Metro’s aging signalling system. As we have seen with the issues we have had in recent years with our aging fleet, rail infrastructure – such as trains, tracks and signalling – needs regular funding to safeguard the services in the longer-term and to run a reliable service for passengers.
“It is imperative we win the investment we need. Since being elected last year, I have met with Ministers on numerous occasions and have stressed the urgency of the funding required for Metro signalling as part of our ambitious plans to modernise and extend Metro to Washington.
“Nexus is underway with rolling out the new trains, and this is the next major investment our region needs to continue to improve the service for all passengers.”
The final cost of new signalling across Metro’s network of 60 stations will be determined as Nexus completes its final business case.
The current signalling system, a traditional arrangement involving mechanical relays and track circuits, was introduced with the Metro in 1980 with a 40-year design life. It has become increasingly difficult to maintain. The Nexus team has managed to extend the designed life of the signalling system through regular maintenance and repairs. However, parts and skills to keep this aging system operational are increasingly hard to come by and it is now having a significant impact on service provision. Currently, up to 62% of all infrastructure related delays are due to signalling asset failures and this will only increase.
Since 2010, Nexus has managed to secure the future of the Metro through the investment of £1 billion in a fleet of new trains, major renewals to the track, bridges, overhead line and other supporting systems. The renewal of the signalling system will ensure the full benefits of this 14-year programme of investment is realised and secure the future of Metro for the next generation.
Image credit: Nexus
