TRANSPORT chiefs are celebrating after a new Metro station was approved.

Plans for a £3m station in the Simonside area of South Shields were unanimously approved by South Tyneside councillors.

A Nexus spokesman said that while some people in the Wenlock Road area were unhappy with the decision, a survey carried out by the company had shown that well over two thirds of local people were in favour of having the Metro station on their doorstep.

Sited between Tyne Dock and Bede stations, Simonside is expected to be ready for passengers by January 2007.

Nexus said the development was essential for helping people without cars to access jobs and other facilities across Tyne and Wear.

The operator said it had also allayed residents' fears over increased anti-social behaviour as the new station will have security cameras that act as a deterrent to crime and vandalism.

The plans were developed in conjunction with the five district local authorities of Tyne and Wear and Nexus as part of the five year Local Transport Plan process.