A PROGRESS report of a new £70m North East transport facility that will accommodate 46 Tyne and Wear Metro vehicles has been made ahead of the delivery of the first new train later this year.
The second phase of the Gosforth depot project has been completed, and three more new sections of line to serve the new facility have been successfully installed.
As phase three of the six-stage process commences, more of the old depot building, which dates back to 1923, will be demolished.
These tasks are set to be ready by October 2022.
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The project overall involves the complete demolition of the old depot, the construction of a brand new one, as well as the replacement of new rails throughout the site.
The first two stages of the project saw the demolition of train stabling sheds to the west of the depot, the partial demolition of the main depot buildings and the start of construction of new ones, as well as the removal and renewal of six train stabling lines.
The building work has been configured to enable the current Metro fleet to continue operating from the Gosforth depot, while construction work takes place.
Michael Steiner, programme director, Newcastle from Stadler, said: “With the first new train set to arrive in Newcastle at the end of the year, work is well underway to build a modern, fit-for-purpose, technologically sophisticated facility, with a focus on sustainability.
“It has been future-proofed to enable it to function effectively for the duration of Stadler’s 35-year contract, which sees us prioritise local people, local goods, and local services.
“We’re delighted to have reached another significant point in the work, and thank our partners, Nexus and VolkerFitzpatrick for their continued collaboration with us.”
The new depot will comprise inspection roads and pits, cranes, jacks, test facilities and a wheel-lathe.
Other features include a wash-plant to clean train exteriors and other dedicated areas for both daily and periodic deep-cleaning.
The outside area is being adapted to optimise train movements, while keeping noise to a minimum for the benefit of residents.
Stadler is manufacturing a total of 46 new Metro trains for Nexus, which are currently being made, with the process to build bogies — structures with wheels attached that carry the bodyshells — well underway.
The first train is scheduled to arrive in Newcastle for a rigorous programme of testing in November 2022.
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