A new signalling system is to be installed at the £70m Gosforth Metro depot as the state-of-the-art facility continues to get ready for the new train fleet.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said the work was vital for ahead of more new trains arriving, and the first one entering service at the end of the year.
The work is scheduled to take place over the weekend of the 24-25 June.
Engineers and maintenance moved into the new depot at the end of last year as work neared completion and will now be introducing a new digital signalling system which will help control access to and from the depot as they access the 12-acre site from the mainline.
Alongside the installation of the new signalling system by Stadler and Volker Fitzpatrick, the construction contractor for the project, Nexus will be undertaking maintenance activities and track repairs between South Gosforth and Longbenton alongside signalling maintenance and repairs.
Major Projects Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “This is an absolutely vital project to get the new Gosforth depot ready for the new Metro train fleet.
“A new digital signalling system is going to be installed at the depot, with the Stadler team moving into a modern, new, computerised panel room to manage train movements to and from the mainline.
“This really is a huge step change in the technology as we continue to get ready for the first new Metro trains entering service for customers.
“The bulk of the work packed into a single weekend, along with night shifts, in order to keep the amount of disruption to an absolute minimum.
Nexus confirmed that some lines would be closed as the work was undertaken.
Photo credit: Nexus
