Today I attended one of many public consultations for the proposed Metro extension through Washington. It’s an exciting time for our region, with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness having recently secured a new £1.85bn funding deal for transport. This series of public drop-in sessions is giving local residents the chance to meet the project team from Nexus, learn more about the plans, provide feedback, and ask questions directly. The convenience of the Metro, a constant backdrop to urban life in many parts of the North East, has long been a missing for those in Washington. Now, the long-envisaged extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro is set to finally address this crucial “missing link“, poised to redefine the future of this unique New Town. The consultation and Business Case study need to assess how the proposed Metro extension can best utilize former railway alignments, including parts of the Leamside Line.
Over the years, many of these disused sections have found new life as public walking and cycling paths, and even informal recreational areas, such as the route from South Hylton towards Penshaw Monument. Integrating a new Metro line into these established community uses, and addressing specific infrastructure challenges like the narrow tunnel under the A19, requires careful planning. Nexus, with its technical consultants like Arup, is undertaking detailed technical designs, environmental assessments, and developing a comprehensive land and consents strategy precisely to reconcile these existing uses with the new railway infrastructure and to engineer solutions for challenging points along the route.
Consideration is also needed regarding where to build new stations. The optimal placement of new stations is a complex undertaking, balancing accessibility for the maximum number of residents with practical engineering constraints and the potential for new economic development. Station locations must consider dense residential areas to maximise pedestrian and cycling access, as well as existing and/or new bus routes to facilitate seamless transfers. Thought needs to be given to brownfield sites or areas ripe for regeneration, where a new station could act as a powerful catalyst for new housing, businesses, and community facilities, transforming underutilized land into vibrant hubs. Technical factors such as gradients, curves in the old railway alignment, and the need to integrate with existing road networks and utilities (like the tunnel under the A19) also heavily influence viable options. Ultimately, balancing these diverse factors while minimizing disruption to existing communities and natural habitats is a critical part of the detailed design process and public consultation.
These investigations are crucial for building the Business Case study and underline its importance, justifying the project’s significant price tag. An £8 million investment has been made to kick-start the development of the Metro to Washington project, specifically for the business case study and initial design work, including the feasibility study. This was announced by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness in July 2024. This ensures that the public money being invested is going towards the most impactful and well-planned solutions. Such detailed analysis ensures that the proposed solutions are robust, technically feasible, environmentally sound, and economically viable, providing a solid foundation for public and governmental confidence in this major infrastructure investment.
Public engagement events are being held for people to find out more about the Metro to Washington project. Nexus is actively gathering feedback through a series of drop-in sessions, giving local residents the opportunity to meet members of the project team, provide feedback, and ask questions. Paul Welford, Major Projects Director at Nexus, stated: “This series of engagement events will give the public a chance to find out more about the Metro to Washington project. It’s an opportunity for people to give us their views and ask us any questions… All of the feedback that we receive will be critical as we shape the project.”
The full list of Metro to Washington public engagement events includes:
- Tuesday 17 June: Washington Millennium Centre, Concord, Washington, 3:30pm-6.30pm
- Wednesday 18 June: Columbia Community Association, Hillthorne Close, Washington, 3:30pm-6.30pm
- Thursday 19 June: Tansey Centre, Church Street, South Hylton, Sunderland 3:30pm-6.30pm
- Monday 23 June: Mickey’s Place, St Michael’s Church, Manor Road, Sulgrave, 10am-12pm
- Tuesday 24 June: Transform North East (Top Club), Manor Rd, Washington, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
- Wednesday 25 June: Washington Library, 0 Washington Highway, Washington, 3.30pm-6.30pm
- Thursday 26 June: Heworth Metro station, Gateshead, 8.30am-12pm
- Monday 30 June: Hebburn Central, South Tyneside, 3.30-6.30pm
- Tuesday 1 July: Washington Arts Centre, Biddick Lane, Washington, 3.30pm-6.30pm
Image: Victoria Bridge the 810 ft long rail viaduct over the River Wear near Fatfield, Washington
Washington was designated a “New Town” in 1964, a bold post-war initiative to decentralise population and industry from overcrowded urban centres like Newcastle and Sunderland. The ambition was grand: to create a modern, utopian community, meticulously planned by architect Llewelyn Davies. The vision sought to provide quality housing, offering new, high-standard homes for overspill populations and integrating them into existing local villages. It also aimed to drive economic diversification, attracting new, modern industries to replace declining traditional sectors like coal mining, and targeting robust job creation. Innovative urban design was a key element, prioritising people with pedestrian-friendly layouts, abundant green spaces, and a balanced approach to the rise of car ownership. Furthermore, the goal was to foster a self-contained community, with local amenities, shops, and employment opportunities to promote a degree of self-sufficiency.
In many respects, Washington succeeded. It attracted major employers, most notably the Nissan automotive plant, which transformed the region’s industrial landscape. The town grew to its current population of over 67,000 residents, organised into distinct, green “villages.” However, a critical oversight in its original planning was the lack of a direct rail connection, making it heavily reliant on road transport and hindering seamless integration with the wider regional network.
The aspiration for a rail link to Washington has been a recurring theme for decades, often leading to what residents have understandably come to call “false dawns.” Proposals and discussions about extending the Metro, or reconnecting via the Leamside Line, have surfaced numerous times since Washington’s inception, only to face funding hurdles or competing priorities. This long period of unfulfilled promises has generated a sense of cautious optimism among a community eager for better transport options.
For residents, this lack of a direct rail connection has translated into longer, more congested bus journeys, limiting access to jobs, education, and leisure in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Gateshead. For businesses, it posed a logistical challenge, potentially impacting recruitment and connectivity to the wider talent pool and supply chains.
The North East has recently seen the transformative power of rail investment through the Northumbria Line reopening. This project, connecting Newcastle to Ashington and other towns, has dramatically exceeded its initial passenger forecasts. Originally projected for around 200,000 annual journeys, it saw over 250,000 in its first three months alone and on track to surpass one million journeys in its first year. This demonstrates a significant pent-up demand for rail travel in the region and the profound impact of improved connectivity on communities.
The Scottish Borders Railway, often cited as a success story, has been a blueprint for how rail reopenings can boost local economies, increase footfall, and significantly enhance tourism in previously isolated areas. Its passenger numbers have trebled initial forecasts, proving the wider benefits beyond just commuting.
These examples provide a compelling case and a positive precedent for the Metro extension to Washington, suggesting that similar levels of latent demand and economic benefit could be realized.
Now, the Metro extension to Washington is firmly on track. Transport North East (TNE) has outlined a business case for a £745 million extension, forming part of the reinstatement of the Leamside Line. The Metro to Washington project itself is a new 13km extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro system, using former railway alignments, including the northern section of the Leamside Line. It will link existing Metro stations at Pelaw and South Hylton with new stations constructed at Follingsby, Washington North, and Washington South. Nexus is already underway with the technical work required, and the new line is expected to see the first trains run in 2033, just over 30 years since the Metro line through Sunderland opened.
This project is far more than just a transport upgrade; it’s a strategic investment aimed at transforming connectivity by directly linking Washington’s 67,000+ residents to the wider Metro network, dramatically cutting commute times and improving access to regional jobs (especially at Nissan and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park) and educational institutions. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness highlights this, stating: “When I was first elected, I pledged to extend the Metro, so I am delighted that we are making this a reality – we are bringing the Metro to Washington… I am thrilled that we will deliver the biggest expansion of Metro for more than 30 years – adding new stations and connecting more communities like Washington to enhanced opportunities that will benefit local people for generations to come.” Washington and Sunderland West MP Sharon Hodgson also underscored this, stating: “Washington is the fourth largest town in the UK not to be connected to a rail network. The people of Washington and Sunderland deserve access to high quality transport to aid economic growth and job prosperity not only within Washington but also across the region. The new Washington Metro Loop will do just that, and I am delighted that we are one step closer to re-opening the Leamside Line in full.”
Unlocking housing and economic growth is another key aim. By providing vastly improved accessibility, the extension is expected to serve tens of thousands of homes and act as a catalyst for new residential and commercial developments. It will make Washington a more attractive place for businesses and families alike. The business case forecasts that the Washington Metro Loop will generate over £90 million in annual economic benefits for the region and create nearly 8 million additional passenger journeys annually. Sedgefield MP Paul Howell underscored the project’s value, noting: “The total cost of delivering the new Washington Metro Loop is under 1% of the overall Integrated Rail Plan budget and the economic benefits for the region and our people is huge, making this plan one that is good value for money and one that the government should strongly maintain its commitment to as part of delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) in full.”
This point is crucial as it positions the Washington Metro Loop as a highly efficient investment within the broader national rail strategy. North East Joint Transport Committee chair and Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon further emphasised: “The Washington Metro Loop is a strategically important development for the area… It is hugely cost effective in comparison to other big rail projects recently completed in the south of England and forms a small part of the overall Integrated Rail Project for the North. As part of the levelling up agenda, the government needs to ensure that the north receives its fair share of infrastructure benefit to ensure economic growth and prosperity in the region.”
Boosting tourism (including Penshaw) is also a significant benefit. While not its primary driver, the extension offers notable tourism advantages. Easier access to Washington’s historical sites (like Washington Old Hall, the Washington Wetland Centre, which spans an impressive 103-105 acres dedicated to wetland conservation and bird life, offering a diverse landscape for various species and educational experiences) and, particularly, the iconic Penshaw Monument will encourage more visitors, stimulating the local economy.
The Penshaw Monument, a majestic replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens, stands 21 meters (70 feet) high atop Penshaw Hill. The hill itself has an elevation of 136 meters (446 feet) above sea level. From its summit, visitors are treated to a spectacular panoramic view of the North East, stretching for miles across the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, it’s possible to see as far north as the Cheviot Hills (approximately 50 miles away) and spot the spire of Durham Cathedral to the south, truly showcasing the breadth of the region. (If a station near Penshaw is included in the wider Leamside Line ambitions, accessibility to this landmark will be significantly enhanced).
Environmental benefits are also key. By encouraging a shift from private cars to public transport, the project aims to replace 1.7 million annual car journeys, reducing carbon emissions by 87,000 tonnes.
The Tyne and Wear Metro extension to Washington is set to be a game-changer. It addresses the long-awaited “missing link” for Washington New Town, integrating the area fully into the regional transport fabric and unlocking its immense potential for growth, prosperity, and the more sustainable future it deserves.
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