Man fears new Metro line will force him from home

David Potts says he "couldn't cope" with the noise from passing trains, if the track was extended nearby

A man living near a proposed railway extension fears he will have to move and lose his stabling business, if the plans go ahead.

David Potts, who lives in Penshaw, Sunderland, said he "wouldn't be able to cope" due to the noise if the Tyne and Wear Metro was to run past the property and cut through a field.

Plans are yet to be submitted but it is thought land near Borehole Cottages could be repurposed in order to link Washington with South Hylton.

Metro operator Nexus, which is aiming to complete the project by 2033, said it would be consulting with the community on any plans.

It has already applied to Sunderland City Council for permission to carry out investigations into reopening the Grade II* listed Victoria Viaduct, which is near Mr Potts' home.

Mr Potts' stabling business is on a field which sits between the two disused Leamside and Penshaw lines

Mr Potts has lived in the cottage, which he rents, for the last 55 years.

"This is the place I grew up in, [I was] born here, and enjoy every minute of it. It's my haven."

The cottage, which is more than 200 years old, is between the two suburbs which were separately served by the Leamside Line and Penshaw Line.

It is believed a relatively small stretch of track will need to be created to directly connect the two areas to form the so-called "Metro Loop".

Experts believe a new section of track could go through, or near, Mr Potts' home at the end of the viaduct

Mr Potts said he would have to move due to the noise.

"I couldn't live next to it after being in the peace and quiet," he said.

"[We are] talking about eight years of work nearby and then trains. It would be torture, I just don't think I could do it."

He said that, even if the extension did not directly impact his home or field, he would no longer be able to run his business as the horses would have to be moved due to the noise of passing trains.

"It would be the end of it basically."

Ged Parker has previously researched the origin of Victoria Viaduct

Ged Parker, chair of Washington History Society, has studied the viaduct and believes a new section of track is likely needed, which would be significant in size.

"Looking at a map, it'll need a reasonably wide curved line [to connect Washington and Sunderland] which will clearly take out some farmland but it strikes me as vital to get into the network."

He added the bridge had the potential to become "very iconic" and similar to the High Level Bridge between Gateshead and Newcastle, if trains return.

Tom Hardwick from Nexus says no decision on the exact route the expansion will take has been made

Nexus said it was "too early" to know the specifics of any new section of track but said it would work with the community "every step of the way".

Tom Hardwick, head of system development, said: "What I would say to Mr Potts and any other residents who have concerns is, if it arises that the route does impact on their land and property, we will of course reach out directly.

"It's too early to say for any degree of certainty as to how individual homes or properties will be affected at this time."

About £900m has already been committed to extending the Tyne and Wear Metro and feasibility studies - which will eventually determine how the line and its stations could look - are under way.

Leaders say it will "transform public transport" in the area and support thousands of jobs at nearby Nissan and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).