Rush hour commuters faced lengthy Metro delays on Monday morning after a points failure suspended train services between Pelaw and Brockley Whins in both directions.
Service suspensions and alternative travel
The issue was identified at 7:40am, with no trains running between the two stations. Passengers travelling to Newcastle and Gateshead from the Sunderland area were advised to use buses from Sunderland city centre and avoid boarding trains to Brockley Whins due to poor bus coverage there.
Northern Trains accepted all Metro tickets, passes, and Pop cards between Newcastle, Heworth, and Sunderland in both directions. Metro tickets and passes were also accepted on Go North East and Stagecoach bus services during the disruption.
Resumption and apology
The service suspensions were reported shortly before 8am and lasted until around 10:30am. A statement from Metro operator Nexus said: "Metro services have now resumed between Pelaw and Brockley Whins, following a points failure earlier this morning. The issue was identified in the Pelaw area at 7.40am this morning, Monday 10 August. Tickets were accepted on local bus services during the suspension."
"Our track engineers have now fixed the issue fixed and services have resumed in the affected area. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to customers."
