Metro extension would 'cut suburb in half'

2 hours ago

Daniel HollandLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — There are plans to extend the Tyne and Wear Metro by 8 miles (13km) through Wearside

LDRS James Murtha is wearing a grey jumper and stood next to a satellite map with the heading North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Kim McGuinness North East Mayor. James has stubble and short grey hair. — There are plans to extend the Tyne and Wear Metro by 8 miles (13km) through Wearside

Plans for an extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro will cut a suburb and its community in half, fearful residents have claimed.

The £900m scheme to add a line through Washington, near Sunderland, was unveiled in June 2025 and it is hoped trains will start running along it in 2033.

James Murtha, who lives near the extension in South Hylton, called the plans "absolutely crazy", while Elaine Young said the plan "is completely destroying South Hylton".

At a consultation event, Tom Hardwick, head of system development at Metro operator Nexus said the firm was "here to listen" and respond to local feedback before final designs are put in place.

The rail operator has proposed two alternatives for significant changes around South Hylton station in order to retain permanent vehicle access to properties located to the north of the railway line.

Both proposals would result in Hylton Bank being closed to vehicles as well as moving the station further to the east to allow access to two 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.

LDRS Elaine Young is wearing a white top with a navy cardigan and she is stood next to a satellite map with the route of a new railway track in red. She has shoulder length brown hair and there are stairs visible behind her left shoulder. — Residents worry about the impact of the new Metro line on traffic

Murhta told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It seems like we are going to be the most affected, but are going to get the least benefit.

"I have lived here 50 years and I cannot believe they are cutting the village in half."

Young, whose home would be just yards from the extended line, said the proposal was "ridiculous" and would force traffic into areas "never built as a main road".

"I can understand the reason for having the Metro, it is about progress," she said

"But to cut a village in half like this is going to cause a lot of disruption here and is going to affect a lot of businesses."

But ormer Durham County Council member Dennis Morgan, 76, said: "Our plea to Sunderland residents is to work together to sort out any issues there are.

"If they can do that then it would bode well for reopening the Leamside Line further south."

There are currently 10 more public engagement sessions planned over the rest of this month, where residents can view plans and provide feedback.