Member Article

Tyne and Wear awaits announcement on Metro improvements

Today the Chancellor is expected to announce plans to affirm the Government’s commitment to the modernisation of the Metro.

The £350 million programme is part of a wider investment in infrastructure across the UK, costing around £30 billion.

According to the BBC, £5 billion of this will come from the government, with the rest supplied by other British funds and investment from China.

Nexus,who run Metro services in Tyne and Wear, were unavailable for comment on the the impending investment.

However, a spokesman for the company did say: “The Metro all change modernisation programme is a vital infrastructure project which is worth billions to the local economy over the next decade.

“We wait with interest any further announcements from the Government on the delivery of the project.”

James Ramsbotham, NECC Chief Executive is a strong supporter of infrastructure improvements in the North East. He added: “Anything the Government does to accelerate investment is welcomed.

“The Tyne and Wear Metro is an incredibly important part of the North East transport infrastructure, responsible for around 40 million passenger journeys a year and helping bring 10,000 visitors in to Newcastle that would not otherwise be able to make it.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .