Metro to Washington
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Metro to Washington, also known as the Washington Metro Loop, is a planned 13 km extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro network connecting Pelaw to South Hylton via Washington. Nexus hopes for the extension to be operational by 2033. It has also been said to be the first step to re-opening the Leamside Line.[1]
Stations
[edit | edit source]It is proposed that three new stations be built. Provisionally, these are Follingsby, which would serve Follingsby Park and the Amazon warehouse, Washington North, which would be near the Nissan plant and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, and Washington South, which would be located in the Fatfield and Teal Farm area.[2] However, the exact station names, locations and facilities have not yet been decided.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]Predecessors
[edit | edit source]It will be based almost entirely on disused alignments. Between Pelaw and the Victoria Viaduct will be based on part of the Leamside Line. Between Victoria Viaduct and South Hylton will be based on part of the Penshaw Branch, which the existing stretch of the green line between Sunderland and South Hylton was also based on.[1]
Kim McGuinness
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In early 2024, the soon-to-be Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness, pledged in her manifesto to expand the Metro network into Washington.[3] On 10 July 2024, she announced that she would be presenting a report to the North East Combined Authority’s Cabinet recommending that £8 million be allocated to Nexus to "develop an Outline Business Case for the Washington Metro Loop- a major project which will provide full information on proposed stops and stations, economic impact data and estimated costings".[4] On 4 June 2025, she announced that it would be built at an estimated cost of £900 million, funded partly by a £1.85 billion funding deal agreed with the Government and partly by private sector funding.[5]
Planning
[edit | edit source]On 29 May 2025, technical consultants Arup were appointed to conduct a feasibility study, survey and design work for the stations, bridges and other key infrastructure for the Metro to Washington project.[6]
Sources
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nexus. "FAQs about Metro to Washington" (accessed 16 April 2026)
- ↑ Holland, Daniel (22 June 2025). "Hopes new Metro line will end 'false dawns'" (archived). BBC.
- ↑ McGuinness, Kim (2024). "Our North East: The Home of Real Opportunity" (archived). Labour and Co-operative. p. 12.
- ↑ Serle, Fraser (10 July 2024). "North East Mayor will bring the Metro to Washington" (archived). North East Combined Authority.
- ↑ Fatkin, Neil (4 June 2025). "New £900m Washington Metro line given the green light as part of game changing £1.85bn funding package" (archived). Shields Gazette.
- ↑ "Key appointment for Metro to Washington project" (accessed 27 April 2026). Nexus. 29 May 2025.
