Passengers in Gateshead should prepare for major travel disruption over the coming May bank holiday weekend, as Metro services on the South Hylton line are set to close entirely. From the start of the day on Sunday 3 May until the end of bank holiday Monday 4 May 2026, trains will not run between Pelaw and South Hylton to allow for essential track improvements managed by Network Rail.
In addition to the works on the South Hylton branch, the entire Tyne and Wear Metro network will be closed from approximately 8.30pm on Sunday 3 May until around 10.30am on bank holiday Monday 4 May. This wider closure is necessary for Nexus to carry out an 8.8 million pound upgrade to the control room systems at South Gosforth. This project aims to replace outdated technology that has been in operation since the mid-1990s.
To help residents continue their journeys during the South Hylton line closure, a replacement bus service, numbered 901, will run between South Hylton and Heworth. This bus will call at, or near, all stations along the route, including those across Gateshead such as Felling, Gateshead Stadium, and Gateshead interchange.
Local commuters are advised to plan their travel well in advance and allow extra time for journeys during this period. While these works cause temporary inconvenience, they are part of ongoing efforts to modernise the region’s transport infrastructure, which recently included the delivery of a new fleet of trains from the manufacturer Stadler.
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