Calls from North East politicians have been made to the government to invest in the region – which could see the re-development of a new Metro extension and three new stations created, as well as a step forward for the historic Leamside Line

Under new proposals set out on Friday (November 4) by Transport North East, the plans are a first step to establishing a business case for a new Metro connection from Pelaw to South Hylton via Washington, with new stations proposed in Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South.

Known as the ‘Washington Metro Loop”, the proposed new line forms part of a wider project to re-open the historic Leamside Line in full, with work already underway with the development of the new Ferryhill station in County Durham.

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As new proposals arrived on Friday, cross-party politicians met at the Leamside Line and ‘Washington Metro Loop’ to discuss the positive impact of the proposed project.

During the meeting, MP for Washington, and Sunderland West Sharon Hodgson MP, said “I have championed the re-opening of the Leamside Line for over 17 years, so to see a new business case submitted to the Joint Transport Committee for a new Metro line connecting Gateshead, Washington and Sunderland is a huge step forward.

“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.

It is predicted that the new Metro line will generate over £90m per year in economic benefits, create nearly 8 million additional passenger journeys a year, as well as giving Washington new connections to Newcastle, Sunderland, and Newcastle Airport

The Business Case forecasts that the new Washington Metro Loop will cost £745m to deliver, which includes additional new Metro trains to support extra services on the line.

MP for Sedgefield, Paul Howell, added: “I welcome today’s news that a business case for the Washington Metro Loop has been submitted to the Joint Transport Committee.

“Work is already underway with the development of Ferryhill and the proposed development of the Washington Metro Loop at the north of the line will only further magnify the Government’s investment into the North East.

“I am committed to ensuring our ministers are fully appraised of the importance of the Leamside Line in the North East transport plan.”

Alongside politicians calling for the development of the Washington Metro Loop, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, Martin Gannon, has said that “The North East is united in one voice and our message to the Government is clear – the Leamside Line is a win for the North East, a win for the UK and a win for this Government.”

He added: “The Washington Metro Loop is a strategically important development for the area, and I would urge the Government to come to the table and work with us to deliver this project.

“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.”

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