BOSSES at the on the Tyne and Wear metro have appointed an experienced staff member to an all new role in the system.

Nexus has appointed a new Head of Infrastructure Delivery to lead maintenance work on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Emma Gardener, a long serving member of staff, took on the newly created role on Friday, January 1.

She will oversee a wide range of essential daily works that are needed to keep the Metro system running.

Mrs Gardener said: “This is an expanded role and I’m looking forward to getting started.

"I have experience of all of the departments that I will be managing so that will be a big help as I take on this new job.

“The effective maintenance of the Metro system is vital work that we carry out around the clock, in all weathers.

"It’s a lot of work that the public don’t really get to see.

"Despite the challenges we face from Covid-19 we will keep going to ensure we provide Metro with a safe and reliable infrastructure.

“We have created safe systems of work for our own employees to work in a Covid-secure way and I will ensure that that continues.

"Health and Safety excellence is the heart of everything we do.”