The ongoing issues with Haymarket Metro Station's escalators are set to be resolved as part of a £2m upgrade.
Nexus, the operator of the Tyne and Wear Metro Service, has announced that it is investing in new escalators and lifts across the Metro network. It comes after passengers have faced months of disruption due to faults with all three of the escalators at Haymarket Metro Station.
As engineers worked to repair the escalators earlier this year, the station was temporarily closed for a time and then operated as an exit-only station.
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And now Metro bosses have confirmed that Haymarket will once again operate as an exit-only station for the next two weeks while the three escalators are refurbished.
Stuart Clarke, Metro infrastructure director said: "Following ongoing issues with the escalators at Haymarket Metro Station, we have taken the decision to make Haymarket an exit-only station for the next two weeks. We have listened to customer feedback and understand that the intermittent nature of the escalator faults is causing uncertainty.
"Whilst we appreciate this temporary change will be inconvenient, we hope this provides customers with some clarity and will enable them to plan their journeys more effectively. I’d like to sincerely apologise for the ongoing disruption to our customers.
“We are currently investing £2m in lifts and escalators on the Metro system to ensure they are fit for service for many more years to come. These assets are heavily used by customers, especially at those stations in busy city centres and they need renewal work.
“At Haymarket, all three of the station’s escalators are being refitted with the steps and drive chains. While we are refurbishing each escalator in turn, this is putting pressure and extra footfall on the other escalators and causing other issues to arise.
"We are addressing these as a matter of urgency with our contractor.
“The refurbishment work will continue and we will review our position on Haymarket again in two weeks’ time. We will provide a full update to our customers then.”
However, Newcastle Lib Dem councillor Thom Campion has slammed the further disruption to Metro passengers.
"It’s disappointing but inevitable that Nexus has had to take this decision given the numerous issues they’ve had," he said.
"With lift and escalator issues across the network, it’s clear that Nexus needs to have a hard look at their station maintenance programme and whether they’re hitting the key accessibility requirements to ensure our Metro is able for all to use.
"Metro should be the jewel in the crown of our public transport system but years of underfunding from Labour leaders have left the network in tatters and stations in dire need of investment."
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