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Metro users warned ahead of network shutdown

Jim ScottIn South Gosforth
BBC/Jim Scott Sarah McManus, who is wearing a green jumper and a grey blazer, stands in front of the soon to be decommissioned system at the control room in South Gosforth. In the background are two controllers who are discussing how the network is currently operating.BBC/Jim Scott
Sarah McManus claimed the new system would be "transformative"

Passengers are being warned that the Tyne and Wear Metro will be "shut down" to allow the replacement of old equipment.

Systems controlling critical safety functions, including overhead power lines, lighting and fire alarms, are being upgraded at its base in South Gosforth.

Trains will not run across the entire network on Easter Monday between 05:00 and 10:00 BST and there will be no trains between Pelaw and South Hylton from 23:30 on Sunday 3 May until 10:30 the following morning.

Metro operator Nexus has warned passengers to allow extra time for journeys, which will be served by replacement buses.

Sarah McManus, head of renewals at Nexus, said the upgrades were happening at a time when passengers travel the least.

BBC/Jim Scott The original display which is now being decommissioned. It has a series of grids with blue lines that indicate where the tracks and junctions are located. It has since been switched off.BBC/Jim Scott
Controllers were relying on a 1980s display to help run the network

McManus said the supervisory control and data acquisition system, also known as SCADA, was installed when the Metro first began in 1980.

"It's over 40 years old and ready to be upgraded and renewed," she said.

"The staff who operate this [new] system can fault-find well in advance, we can give advance notice to customers and we can try and minimise any changes that are needed for operational purposes.

"It will be absolutely transformative."

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