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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Tom Beattie

Travel chaos in North East as major Metro route is suspended due to damage following 'extreme heat'

A major route on the Metro has been suspended leading to chaos for commuters in the North East.

Metro operators Nexus confirmed that overhead wires had sagged due to the extreme heat in the region today (July 18). The damage resulted in services being suspended between South Gosforth and Tynemouth.

Engineers are now assessing the damage and are being readied to undertake repairs where required.

Read more: Is it too hot to work? Rules, advice and what your boss should do during heatwave

As a result of the damage, no trains are running from South Gosforth all the way around the north Tyne coastal loop to into Newcastle city centre.

A temporary 30kph speed limit is on place between Airport and South Gosforth due to the heatwave.

A Nexus spokesperson said: “Metro services are suspended between South Gosforth and Tynemouth due to overhead wires sagging in the extreme heat.

“Our engineers are assessing the extent of the damage and are getting ready to undertake the repairs.

“The current closure of the line allied with the planned closure between St James and Tynemouth means that we currently have no trains running from South Gosforth all the way around the north Tyne coastal loop to into Newcastle city centre.

“Trains are running on the remainder of the network, but there is a temporary 30kph speed limit between Airport and South Gosforth due to the heatwave.

“Customers travelling in the affected area can use their Metro tickets on local bus services. Arriva services 51, 51A, 53, 54 and 55, 57, 57A, 306 and 308. Go North East services 1, 19, 309 and 310. Stagecoach services 12, 22, 39, 40, 62, 63 and 317.”

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