Metro: Disruption on Sunderland line due to power cable damage

Services are expected to be busier than usual due to the disruption

Metro passengers using the Sunderland line are being warned of disruption after a power cable was damaged.

Just two trains an hour can run between Pelaw and South Hylton, instead of the usual five, until the problem in the Seaburn area is fixed.

Network Rail teams have been working at the site since Tuesday and are said to be planning to carry out a fix "as soon as possible".

A spokesperson apologised and urged people to check before they travel.

"We're sorry for the disruption that is being caused to passengers' journeys in the Seaburn area," said Paul Rutter, from Network Rail.

"Our teams are working hard to resolve the issue and have already implemented a temporary fix which allows some Tyne and Wear Metro services to run."

The damaged cable feeds high voltage power to the overhead lines.

The repair will be done overnight so that passenger services are unaffected, added Mr Rutter from Network Rail, which owns and maintains that part of the line.

Kevin Storey, Tyne and Wear Metro operations director, said: "Our apologies to customers who are seeing their metro journeys disrupted on the Sunderland line.

"Customers will need to allow plenty of extra time to make journeys and be prepared for services to be a lot busier."