North East Mayor plans metro extension and Leamside reopening

The North East of England is pushing forward with its ambitious transport plans with the announcement of £8.6 million to develop plans for expanding the Metro to Washington and reopening the disused Leamside Line.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness pledged her commitment to the project, stating, "I pledged in my manifesto to bring the Metro to Washington and that's exactly what we will do." Reopening the Leamside Line, seen as crucial for the region's economic future, has garnered support from local communities, politicians, and businesses. However, national funding has yet to be secured.

McGuinness emphasised the transformative impact the project will have, reconnecting isolated communities and reducing reliance on cars. "For too long we've been held back by a lack of national funding," she said. "We want to build the greenest and best-connected transport network in the UK so it's time to get to work."

The Leamside Line's reopening is planned in three phases including the Washington Metro Loop which will use the northern part of the Leamside Line to extend the Metro from Gateshead to Washington as well as connecting Washington and Sunderland through the southern section of the Leamside Line.

The last phase will see the opening of a new station at Ferryhill in County Durham which would provide a link to Teesside.

Subject to approval, £8 million will be allocated to develop a detailed business case for the Washington Metro Loop, outlining proposed stops, economic impact, and estimated costs. Completion is expected by Spring 2026. Additionally, £600,000 will be used for a Strategic Outline Case for Leamside South, marking further progress towards the line's full reopening.

The Washington Metro Loop alone is projected to generate £90 million annually for the region, replacing car journeys and reducing carbon emissions.

McGuinness highlighted the urgency of the project. "It's been 60 years since passenger services stopped running on the Leamside Line and we can't wait 60 more," she said. "We will get to work...while I continue to press for funding, both national and local."

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director at Nexus, the public transport body overseeing the Metro, called the Washington Metro Loop "truly transformative." The funding, she said, "marks a really positive step forward in the project."