South Shields Interchange

South Shields
Tyne and Wear Metro station
Location	South Shields, South Tyneside England
Coordinates	54°59′50″N 1°25′59″W / 54.9971852°N 1.4330314°W / 54.9971852; -1.4330314Coordinates: 54°59′50″N 1°25′59″W / 54.9971852°N 1.4330314°W / 54.9971852; -1.4330314
Grid reference	NZ325651
Transit authority	Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
Platforms	1
Tracks	1
Bus stands	15
Construction
Bicycle facilities	4 cycle lockers
Disabled access	Step-free access to platform level
Other information
Station code	SSS
Fare zone	C
History
Original company	North Eastern Railway
Pre-grouping	North Eastern Railway
Post-grouping	London and North Eastern Railway British Rail (Eastern Region)
Key dates
2 June 1879	Opened
1 June 1981	Closed for conversion
24 March 1984	Resited and reopened
8 July 2019	Closed
4 August 2019	Resited and reopened
Passengers
2017/18	0.59 million[1]
Services
Preceding station Metro Following station Terminus Yellow Line Chichester towards St. James via Whitley Bay
Location
South Shields Location in Tyne and Wear, England

South Shields is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the coastal town of South Shields, South Tyneside in Tyne and Wear. It joined the network as a terminus station on 24 March 1984, following the opening of the fifth phase of the network, between Heworth and South Shields.

The station closed on 8 July 2019, following the construction of a new station, which opened on 4 August 2019. As of April 2021, it is the only station to have been closed in the network's 41-year history.^[2][3]

History[]

The station, which was originally located on Mile End Road, was opened on 2 June 1879 by the North Eastern Railway. It later became a part of the Tyneside Electrics. It closed for conversion in June 1981, ahead of opening as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro network.

Conversion work saw the station re-located about 200 m (660 ft) from the former British Rail station, with the construction of a new station on a bridge over King Street.^[4] The original Grade II listed station building, located near to Mile End Road, remained following conversion, but was demolished in the late 1990s after falling into disrepair.

The first Tyne and Wear Metro station was closed in July 2019, and re-sited around 100 m (330 ft) to the south east. In August 2019, the station re-opened, as part of the new South Shields Interchange.

Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre[]

In July 2018, Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive announced an £8.4 million project to construct a Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre.^[5][6][7] The three-storey building, which houses a training hub, as well as stabling facilities for up to two trains, opened in September 2020.

Facilities[]

Step-free access is available at all stations across the Tyne and Wear Metro network, with two lifts providing step-free access to platforms at South Shields. The station is equipped with ticket machines, sheltered waiting area, seating, next train information displays, timetable posters, and an emergency help point. Ticket machines are able to accept payment with credit and debit card (including contactless payment), notes and coins.^[8][9] The station is fitted with automatic ticket barriers, which were installed at 13 stations across the network during the early 2010s, as well as smartcard validators, which feature at all stations.^[10][11] The station houses a bakery and a Nexus TravelShop,^[12] both of which are located within the bus concourse.

There is no dedicated car parking available at the station, however there are a number of pay and display car parks operated by South Tyneside Council located nearby. A taxi rank is located on Keppel Street. There is the provision for cycle parking, with 4 cycle lockers available for use. A large bus interchange is located on the lower level, providing frequent connections in and around South Tyneside and Sunderland.^[13]

Services[]

As of April 2021, the station is served by up to 5 trains per hour on weekdays and Saturday, and up to 4 trains per hour during the evening and on Sunday.^[14]

Rolling stock used: Class 994 Metrocar

Bus Station[]

A bus station is located below the Tyne and Wear Metro station. It opened in August 2019, having replaced the former bus station on Keppel Street.^[15][16][17]

It is served by Go North East and Stagecoach North East's local bus services, with frequent routes serving South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne. The bus station has 14 departure stands (lettered A–P), with an additional stand used by long-distance coach services. Each stand is fitted with seating, next bus information displays, and timetable posters.

References[]

External links[]

• Media related to South Shields Metro station at Wikimedia Commons
• Timetable and station information for South Shields