Nexus reveal details £600million Metro overhaul

Dec 5 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

PLANS have been unveiled for a controversial £600m overhaul of the Metro system.

Nexus, which yesterday announced it had agreed to allow a subsidiary of German company Deutsche Bahn to run the system, has now revealed details of what the multi-million pound budget will be spent on.

Central Station in Newcastle will be first in line for an upgrade, with passengers benefiting from a similar revamp to that at the city’s Haymarket station.

The 11 suburban stations from Tynemouth to Byker and South Gosforth to Newcastle city centre will also be improved.

Some 30 Metrocars will be refurbished in the next three years, with the rest of the 90-strong fleet to be upgraded in the longer term.

The entire system will benefit from new ticket machines, with 13 stations getting ticket control barriers.

Extensive refurbishment work to track, cabling and bridges will also take place.

Although concerns have been raised over the fact that DB Regio Tyne and Wear’s parent company is at the centre of a long-running safety row in Berlin, after a train derailment in May revealed that strict standards were not being met, Nexus yesterday sought to distance itself from the problems.

Nexus director general Bernard Garner said: “DB is a major international company with hundreds of subsidiaries.

“There is no connection between issues in Germany and operations in Tyne and Wear.

“We’ve made a major step forward in realising investment in the system. Metro now has greater financial security than at any time in its history and now we can plan long term for the future rather than from year to year as has been the case.

“We’re moving from the proud history of Metro and translating that into a better future, not only for Metro, but for transport in Tyne and Wear.”

Christoph Djazirian, bid director for DB Regio, said: “We have already proven our capability through our work with London Overground, using an approach of innovation, combined with tried and tested engineering and operational processes, which have made a sustained positive contribution to an improved customer experience.”

But union leaders and campaigners reacted have warned of the dangers they say the Metro system is now facing.

Kevin Flynn, secretary of Keep Metro Public, said: “Once driving profits becomes an issue, corners are cut and the shareholders come first and the staff and public second.”

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union said he was deeply unhappy with the plans. He said: “This is the first major privatisation under Gordon Brown’s leadership of the Labour Party.

“It is a betrayal of the people of the North East who overwhelmingly oppose this plan and is electoral suicide for Labour, smack bang in its heartland.

“This is a disaster for Tyne and Wear which will be felt right across the region. We can expect this essential transport service to be bled dry in the dash for profits by the private company.

“This decision is a kick in the teeth for the vast majority of local people who have supported the campaign against privatisation.”

RMT local union leader Stan Herschel said he was worried about the welfare of Metro staff.

He said: “We hope to work with DB for our members and the public but are warning now that any attempt to erode pay and conditions will be vigorously defended.

“Nexus are a bunch of pirates and should hang their heads in shame.”