Stadler has officially appointed the Swiss train builder to construct Metro’s new fleet depot at Gosforth in Newcastle. The £70m facility will accommodate the new state-of-the-art trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro, which are set to enter passenger service from 2023.
Nexus, the public body who owns and manages Metro, names Stadler as the firm that will build, service and maintain its new trains for 35 years at the rebuilt facility, underscoring a commitment to the regional economy, jobs and the supply chain North East England.
VolkerFitzpatrick will begin work on the new Metro depot later this year. The new Metro fleet, which contains 46 Metro trains, is being manufactured and delivered by Stadler who have sworn to use local suppliers, engage with local businesses and educational establishments, and invest in a new workforce, set to transfer to is business later this year.
Robert Baxter, Managing Director at Stadler Rail Service UK, said: “The appointment of VolkerFitzpatrick to build a new Gosforth depot is a highly significant milestone for the Nexus project, heralding the start of this exciting project in the north east, which will see the transformation of rail travel in the region.”
Paul Lilley, VolkerFitzpatrick’s Operations Director, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Stadler to design and develop this new £70m facility. As a leading constructor of rail depots, we have extensive experience of managing such projects and look forward to helping Nexus further enhance their network and create a state-of-the-art facility in readiness for their fleet of METRO trains being introduced in 2024.”
Managing Director Transport North East, Tobyn Hughes, said: “This investment in a new depot will revolutionise our maintenance facilities, creating a modern and energy efficient home for the new train fleet. It’s a development that will secure the long-term future of the Metro system and deliver a step-change in quality for our workforce.”
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council and Chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: “Today’s announcement brings us another step closer to having a Metro service in Tyne and Wear fit for the 21st century. The new state-of-the-art depot, which has been designed by Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture, will be environmentally friendly and we look forward to seeing it take shape over the next few years.”
