Sunderland Metro and Transport

[Blackcatfan]

Originally Posted by toonlad

I reckon before any large scale expansion they should defo link up the Boldon-Tyne Dock lines like on the map above, put new platforms in at South Shields and start new Shields to South Hylton services. It would really increase rideship on the line. I have family in Shields and they frequently commute into Sunderland, moreso than Newcastle.

Look how close they are on this map from google earth:

I have said this for years.

Those lines are so close together and there is no development on the route so building this would be exceptionally cheap by major infrastructure standards. It seems so obvious and I have my suspicions as to why it's never been done.

Which is the only area that would potentially lose out by direct communication between South Shields and Sunderland by Metro?

It's a bit like when they complained that the people of Wearside were not using the new link. I did not realise it was only for Sunderland people to use and not for Newcastle people to travel to Sunderland as well, but I was clearly wrong as it was Wearsiders they moaned about.

[sterock85]

A direct metro form South Shields to Sunderland doesn't benefit Newcastle...so won;t happen.

Been working in Shields last 2 weeks, there's absolutley tonnes of people who travel to work in Sunderland and some vice versa, but generally use there own transport as it's easier.

[horokeio]

To be fair the 35 service is very good so there's no excuse not to use public transport between the two areas. Not so keen on the E buses but that's as much to do with the ownership of Stagecoach as the routes themselves.

Is there anyone on here able to make an educated estimate as to the likely cost of converting the disused section into Metro usage, with a station at Green Lane?

[Hacman]

With regards to cost, I shouldnt imagine the actual cost price to be too high.

The track bed along the full route is present, and from what I have seen appears to be in good conditon. There is, afterall, a serving set of tracks along the route.

To put a line along these tracks is a matter of:

-condense the trackwork along the route that is currently owned by network rail, including the removal of the track that currently forms the eastern curve at Brockley Whins. Making a single line heading from the Tyne Dock to the line at Brockley Whins via the west curve.
-Lay 2 tracks between the Metro route at Tyne Dock and Brockley Whins, via the east curve. Making the route 3 tracks at its centre section.
-Install junctions between the new dual track and the Sunderland and South Shields lines.
-Install a junction half way along the new route to allow trains to enter the new section from South Shields heading towards newcastle.
-Electrify the section that is going to be used by Metro.

The reason I have not mentioned a station at Green Lane, is because I am dobutful about how much coverage this would add to the network in return for the amount of work that would need to be done.

[Hacman]

The above may look something like this:

(Sorry for the very basic diagrams, its been one of those days and this is all I can find the will to do...)

[EDIT] I should probably also mention that these diagrams are obviously not to any kind of distant or angular scale... [/EDIT]

Now:


Possible:


Jon

[horokeio]

Interesting information, thanks.

[sterock85]

Thanks for the interesting posts Hacman

[horokeio]

Following on from a few posts on the main Tyne and Wear Metro thread, has anyone visited this blog A Better Metro? It's pretty interesting, and exhaustive.

The author has quite good suggestions for the extension of the Metro in the Sunderland area, with individual examinations of a South Hylton-Washington-Newcastle line (more adventurous and unrealistic than the South Hylton-Pelaw connection discussed here and elsewhere); of the East Boldon-Tyne Dock link; and of a route through east and south Sunderland, to Doxford International via Grangetown, Ryhope and Silksworth. Well worth a read.

[YorkshireMackem]

Originally Posted by horokeio

Following on from a few posts on the main Tyne and Wear Metro thread, has anyone visited this blog A Better Metro? It's pretty interesting, and exhaustive.

The author has quite good suggestions for the extension of the Metro in the Sunderland area, with individual examinations of a South Hylton-Washington-Newcastle line (more adventurous and unrealistic than the South Hylton-Pelaw connection discussed here and elsewhere); of the East Boldon-Tyne Dock link; and of a route through east and south Sunderland, to Doxford International via Grangetown, Ryhope and Silksworth. Well worth a read.

Wow, very interesting read, well spotted!

I have to say that the proposed final model for a new Metro would address a lot of deficiencies in the system and also address a lot of demand which the Metro is currently missing out on. In particular, the western areas of Gateshead/Tyne Valley are currently very cut off from neighbouring Washington, and Gateshead in particular is not well served by the Metro.

Also, the line proposed to East Herrington/Doxford Park is badly needed in my opinion and there is a lot of demand, especially from Doxford Park for a good light rail service, as well as residents. I know there are also a lot of people crying out for a Metro connection to Washington from Sunderland.

Unfortunately, echoing comments above, I don't think any of this will happen as the Metro is effectively designed to bring people into Newcastle and not designed to transport people between other destinations in the Tyne and Wear conurbation. The Metro needs to facilitate more of a core emphasis on Sunderland City Centre by providing better links from Washington and places like East Herrington/Doxford, etc.

[denm]

Areas such as Washington,--East Herrington--Doxford Park ---Ryhope --Silksworth, --have all been mentioned as possible new Lines, and to many people would be most welcome, ---but in my personal opinion, I doubt if any will happen, --with the possible exception of Washington.

[sterock85]

Interesting read that! shame it's merely a pipedream, but it's good to see the possibilties that are there. The metro coverage in Sunderland is rubbish, but as already mentioned the idea of the metro is to get people in and out of Newcastle.