Tyne and Wear Metro confirm new stations for Washington line

Transport bosses have today revealed designs for three new Metro stations proposed under a long-awaited expansion of the light rail network through Washington.

It is the first time that a detailed vision for the stops at  Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South has been made public, ahead of the planned opening of the new line in 2033.

The 13km route will run between the existing Metro stations at Pelaw and South Hylton, crossing over the River Wear via the Victoria viaduct and then under the A19.

The proposed route map. (Image: NEXUS)

It would use the northern section of the mothballed Leamside Line.

Metro operator Nexus’ proposals, which will go on display at a series of 14 public events during September, show the layout of the route through Washington and the exact locations proposed for the three stations.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “I promised we’d extend the Metro to Washington and now the next stage in that plan is underway – three brand new stations for the first time in 30 years. We’re doing this because you told us you want more affordable, publicly-controlled transport across the North East. Now is the time to have your say on how these plans develop.” 

Nexus said that it had already begun talks with potentially impacted landowners around the proposed train line, though the plans are still subject to change as the designs are developed further.

It is hoped that construction can begin in 2030, with an outline business case for the project due to be submitted to the North East mayoral authority early next year.

An estimated cost for the project is yet to be confirmed, though much of the bill is expected to be paid for through a £1.85 billion Government transport funding pot given to Ms McGuinness last year.

Once open, it will be the first new Metro line in 30 years – since the extension of the network to Sunderland.

Follingsby Station  

The proposed station at Follingsby would serve the area’s big Amazon warehouse and other businesses around the Follingsby Park industrial estate. 

Designs for the station show it located off Follingsby Lane and featuring a Park and Ride car park, the only one of the three new stations that would have one. 

The proposed Follingsby station. (Image: NEXUS)

Washington North Station 

The Washington North station would serve Sulgrave and would also be located close to the Nissan car factory. Its proposed location is at the intersection of the former Leamside Line and the A1290, next to Washington Community Fire Station.

However, the concept image of the new station shows that the A1290 would have to be diverted to the south to make way for the new station, with a new bridge running over the railway tracks and connecting to the existing roundabout at the junction of Glover Road and Spire Road.

The proposed Washington North station. (Image: NEXUS)

Washington South Station 

A station at Washington South is intended to serve residents living around the Fatfield, Columbia, and Teal Farm areas. It would be located to the south of the former Washington railway site, which was closed to passenger services during the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, next to the Swan Road industrial estate. A footbridge would also be built over the railway line to replace an existing pathway which links to Wilden Road.

The proposed Washington South station. (Image: NEXUS)

Other changes

Nexus announced a series of other developments that would be needed to bring the new Washington line into use. They include:

• A new underpass to carry the track beneath the A19 at South Hylton;
• Masts for overhead power would be installed on the historic Victoria Viaduct;
• A new track to be installed at Pelaw to allow trains to link up to the existing Metro network, requiring the replacement of a footbridge to  Stonehills Complex and alterations to existing bridleways and access roads;
• A new track  to the south of Coxgreen Road, to connect South Hylton to the Victoria Viaduct.

There will also be two alternative options presented for significant changes around South Hylton station, in order to retain permanent vehicle access to properties located north of the railway line. 

The proposed changes around the existing South Hylton station. (Image: NEXUS)

Both options would result in Hylton Bank being closed to vehicles, with alternative road access constructed, as well as moving the station further to the east to allow access to both platforms. 

One option would create a new road connecting Railway Terrace to St Luke’s Road, via a tunnel constructed underneath the existing station site.  

The second option would be for an upgrade to the existing underpass at Keelman’s Road, enabling vehicle access to South Hylton via Keelman’s Lane and Claxheugh Road. 

Nexus also confirmed that the current proposals will not take the Metro extension to Penshaw.

Penshaw has been identified, however, as a possible railway station location if the southern section of the Leamside Line can also be brought back into use. There are ambitions of using that stretch to restore heavy rail train services that would also run through communities like Bowburn, Belmont, West Rainton, and Fencehouses.

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “This is a really significant moment for the Metro to Washington project as the proposed route and station locations are shared publicly for the first time.  This will be the first new Metro line for 30 years, providing a new route between the cities of Sunderland and Newcastle through Washington. 

“We are committed to keeping the public up to date on the plans. A series of 14 public engagement events will now get underway over the coming weeks, giving people the chance to come along, ask questions, and give us their views. We look forward to seeing as many people there as possible. 

“If people are struggling to get there in person, there is also an option to provide feedback online through the Nexus website at nexus.org.uk/metrotowashington. This will be vital as we shape the plans further, ahead of construction getting underway.”   

Here is a full list of the  drop-in events: 

• Tuesday 1 September: Washington Millennium Centre, Concord, 4-6pm;
• Saturday 5 September: Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, 1.30pm-4pm;
• Monday 7 September: Wardley Fitzgeralds, 12.30pm – 4.30pm;
• Wednesday 9 September: Tansy Centre, South Hylton, 1.30pm-4pm;
• Friday 11 September: Teal Farm Pub, 1.30pm-4.30pm;
• Saturday 12 September: North East Land, Sea, Air Museum, Washington, 11am-2pm; 
• Tuesday 15 September: Sunderland College, City Campus, 5.30pm-7pm;
• Wednesday 16 September: Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, 10am-1pm;
• Saturday 19 September: The Galleries, Washington, 10.30am-1.30pm;
• Tuesday 22 September: Columbia Village Community Centre, Washington, 5.30pm-7pm;
• Wednesday 23 September: Tansy Centre, South Hylton, 10am-12pm;
• Friday 25 September: Pelaw Metro Station, 8.30am – 10.30am, and 5pm-7pm; 
• Saturday 26 September: The Bridges shopping centre, Sunderland, 10.30am-1.30pm