Cable theft on the Metro line in North Tyneside stopped trains from operating between Wallsend and North Shields for around three hours on Thursday, October 8. The removal of electrical cable occurred on the line at Meadow Well.
Service disruption and alternative travel
Metro trains stopped running between Wallsend and North Shields just after 10.30am. Passengers were told they could use their tickets, passes and Pop cards on the 301 and 317 Go North East bus services. Later, they were also allowed to use Metro tickets on the 57/57A Arriva buses.
The disruption affected other yellow line Metro trains, which were not running to timetable. Trains began running again between Wallsend and North Shields at around 1.40pm, but yellow line services were still behind schedule.
Response from Nexus
Nexus, who operate the Metro, said the cable theft will be reported to Northumbria Police. Stuart Clarke, Infrastructure Director at Nexus, said: "Metro services have now resumed between Wallsend and North Shields following an incident of cable theft. The offence will be reported to Northumbria Police. Cable theft causes significant disruption for the public. It is extremely dangerous to interfere with trackside equipment, which can have live electricity running through it. Thieves risk their lives by tampering with these cables. Anyone caught stealing from our network will face prosecution and a possible prison sentence. We continue to work closely with the police and wider rail industry colleagues to look at ways to crackdown on cable theft."
