Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each afternoon we'll bring you some of the latest from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today take a look around the new Metro trains, as well as bring you the news of plans to crackdown on anti-social behaviour at the North Tyneside coast, and a Wallsend driver who left a young dad with catastrophic injuries by deliberately ploughing into him.
Read more: Dash cam footage shows Walker danger driver speeding at up to 123mph on 40mph road
Inside the brand new Tyne and Wear trains hailed as 'future of North East transport'
New Tyne and Wear Metro trains hailed as the “first big step for the future of North East transport” have been officially unveiled.
A select few future passengers have been treated to a look around a brand new Stadler Class 555, which it is hoped will revolutionise journeys for a public that has endured years of frustration with increasingly unreliable trains. Two of the £362m fleet of new carriages have now been delivered to the North East, with another 44 on the way by 2025.
It will be some time yet before any enter service, however, with Metro operator Nexus saying it now hopes to see the first of them pulling into stations by the end of this year. But a tour of a gleaming new train on Friday morning offered a welcome glimpse into the network’s future – after a troubled week that has seen the Metro embroiled in controversy over timetable cuts and struggling in freezing temperatures.
It was unveiled at a celebration event at the Metro’s Gosforth depot on Friday that welcomed passengers who helped shape the carriages’ design, local politicians and business leaders, and North East firms that have supplied parts and technology for the fleet. The new, Swiss-built trains boast a wealth of upgrades that will make them feel “space age” compared to the current stock, which has been running for more than 40 years.
Perhaps most important of all, they should be vastly more reliable and less prone to breakdowns – and have on-board batteries that mean they can keep moving in the event of an overhead line failure. Another key difference that passengers will immediately notice is the change in seating layout – with the London Tube-style linear seating replacing the current Metro layout and making carriages a far more spacious environment.
Other key new features on board include air conditioning, which will come as relief in the summer months, and USB charging ports. The trains also have an automatic sliding step at every door to allow “seamless boarding” for the Metro’s 50,000 wheelchair passengers, as well as people with buggies, luggage or bikes.
Friday morning’s tour also offered a first look at colourful local artwork that decorates each train. Each train is fitted with 42 CCTV cameras which can be monitored live from the driver’s cabin, which it is hoped will help combat anti-social behaviour.
Nexus’ managing director, Martin Kearney, said: “These trains are the real gamechanger. This is all about our customers and about the future. They are the first big step for the future of transport in the North East."
Crackdown on anti-social behaviour at the North Tyneside coast will return this summer
Plans are under way to tackle summer peaks of anti-social behaviour along the coast in North Tyneside.
'Operation Coastwatch' will see Northumbria Police, North Tyneside Council and Nexus collaborate to stamp out anti-social behaviour as the warmer weather starts to arrive.
Richard Mitchell, community and public space manager at North Tyneside Council, said: "Operation Coastwatch is an important part of the work we do to keep North Tyneside a safe place to live, work and visit. The operation has successfully reduced anti-social behaviour in recent years and has now evolved into part of our everyday work, and we will be stepping up our plans as the warmer weather approaches.
"We look forward to working with Northumbria Police, Nexus and community volunteers again this summer to ensure that the coast remains a safe and enjoyable destination for all."
'Angry' Wallsend driver left young dad with catastrophic injuries by deliberately ploughing into him
A young dad was left with 'catastrophic' life-changing injuries when an angry driver deliberately ploughed into him as he went to visit his dad's grave.
Corey Bailey and Jordan Storey, who had earlier been involved in an altercation with Craig Timlin, were standing talking in the road in Wallsend when he accelerated into them. Corey suffered multiple serious injuries, including a brain injury which continues to have a devastating effect on his life.
A court heard he is unable to look after his daughters alone, can't work, was left living in a care home and the former talented boxer is now vulnerable and has a reduced life expectancy. Now Timlin, 50, of Westmoreland Street, Wallsend, has been jailed after he admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Read next:
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- Families of South Shields couple killed in Manchester terror attack call for right to register their deaths
- Selfless Newcastle-mad dad who 'bleeds black and white' gives Wembley tickets to his kids
- Newcastle United to receive civic ceremony - even if they lose Wembley cup final
- Gateshead dad says tree outside home is 'accident waiting to happen' as he calls on council to act
