Metro chiefs working 'quickly' to fix leaks

The first of the new Metro trains entered service in December

Tyne and Wear Metro chiefs say they are "working as quickly as possible" to resolve air conditioning issues with the service's new trains.

Several have had to be temporarily withdrawn over the past two months due to water leaks, including three last week.

Operator Nexus and Swiss-manufacturer Stadler say condensation is draining too slowly from the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (Hvac) system during long hours of operation on hot days and dripping into carriages through vents.

Forty-six trains are scheduled to enter service by the end of next year as part of a £362m modernisation programme.

In a joint statement, Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus, and Lucius Gerig, CEO of Stadler Switzerland, said some of the new carriages were "intermittently experiencing an issue with this Hvac system during extreme temperatures" and software solutions were being tested.

"We're working as quickly as possible to deal with this issue, minimise disruption and maintain the best service that we can for customers," they added.

"We'd like to apologise to anyone who has been affected.

"As an interim measure, we have put a robust process in place to closely monitor the Hvac equipment and minimise the potential for water entering the carriage."

The condensation leaking from the vents is not harmful, bosses say

Plans are in place for cleaning and servicing if required, the statement explained.

The new trains are replacing a fleet that has been operating since the network launched more than 40 years ago.

However, their introduction has been beset by delays with Nexus blaming issues such as testing, driver training and rising inflation.

Other problems since their rollout have included doors opening on the wrong side, leaving a drop on to the tracks below.