Crew 'challenges' suspend evening ferry crossings

There will be no evening crossings from Monday, Nexus says

Passengers using the Shields Ferry have been warned evening crossings are being suspended for several weeks due to a lack of crew.

Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus said the ferry would be operating a reduced timetable from Monday, which was "likely" to be in place until January.

The last crossing from South Shields is scheduled at 17:45 GMT, and the last crossing from North Shields at 18:00 GMT, between Monday and Saturday.

Nexus said the changes were due to "unexpected challenges" with crew availability and it was "sorry for any inconvenience caused".

Sunday's ferry crossings remain unchanged.

Nexus said it was "working hard" to get the issue rectified as soon as possible.

Replacement buses will not operate because evening customer numbers are "so low", Nexus said.

People can use their ferry tickets on the Tyne and Wear Metro and on Go North East service number 9, which runs between North Shields and Jarrow.