Loads of major events happening on Friday across Tyne and Wear
Nexus say plan ahead as the Metro system will be busy
Metro customers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys this Friday, 22 August, due to a series of major events which are expected to attract large crowds in Newcastle and Sunderland.
It will mean that Metro trains will be busier and crowd control measures will be in place to manage queues, including temporary station closures at West Jesmond and Ilford Road from 3pm.
Nexus, the public body which runs Metro, said that customers need to plan ahead and allow for more time get where they need to be on Friday as the system is likely to be much busier.
Newcastle stages the Come Together Festival on the city’s Town Moor – headlined by the Kings of Leon - which is expected to attract a crowd of 10,000 people, and at the same time the Park Series Reggae Festival will be held in Leazes Park, featuring UB40. The comedian Peter Kay will also be on stage at the Utilita Arena on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light plays host to the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which sees England take on the USA at 7.30pm.
Kevin Storey, Operations Manager at Nexus, said: “We’re well prepared for what promises to be a busy day for Metro this Friday, 22 August, due to some major events happening in both Sunderland and in Newcastle.
“Customers should plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time to make their journeys if travelling there on Metro. Stations and trains are going to be much busier, particularly on Friday afternoon and Friday evening.
“In the case of the Come Together Festival on Newcastle’s Town Moor, we need to manage the flow of people by putting in station closures at West Jesmond and Ilford Road. Customers need to be aware of this and plan their journey around it. If you’re heading to this event, then alight at either Jesmond or Haymarket.
“We’ll have Metro Customer Service teams available at key stations to support customers and manage queues. We want customers to have a fun time and to stay safe, so please listen to instructions from our teams.
“For the Women’s Rugby World Cup game in Sunderland we will have teams at Stadium of Light and St Peter’s Metro stations to support customers and direct people to the venue.
“Customers can keep in touch with all the latest information by using the Pop App and our X page on @My_Metro. Info is also on the Nexus website.”
West Jesmond and Ilford Road Metro stations will be subject to temporary closures from 3pm on Friday. When these stations are closed trains will run through the station without stopping.
For more information visit www.nexus.org.uk