Burridge News
Old Metro Tunnel seen in a new light - Whitley Bay Guardian News
- 03 February 2010(Burridge replaces existing tunnel lighting)
THERE is new light at the end of the oldest tunnel on the Metro network – thanks to a £175,000 investment by Nexus.
The 162-year-old North Shields tunnel, built by the Victorians, has been fitted with new fluorescent lighting to improve access for maintenance staff and deter vandalism.
It is crucial because Nexus will be carrying out a major project in 2010 to protect the tunnel from flooding problems during heavy rain.
There are 178 lights mounted on the walls along its entire 1km length.
The project is part of the £300m Metro all change programme which will see the system modernised, including stations, trains, tunnels, bridges and tracks.
Work to install the lights took 11 weeks and was finished eight weeks ahead of schedule. The contractors (P.F.Burridge & Sons Ltd) had to work during the night while the line was out of service to get the job done.
Fitting the new lights involved completely stripping out the old ones and rewiring the tunnel to improve the power supply.
Nexus rail director, Raymond Johnstone, said: “It was essential that we invested in this new lighting because North Shields tunnel is one of the oldest parts of the Metro network and its maintenance is of paramount importance.
“The improved lighting means that we can work much more effectively inside the tunnel. The lights are crucial for our plans to carry out drainage work to prevent flooding in the tunnel, which occurs during periods of very heavy rain.”
Whitley Bay Guardian Press Release 21st January 2010
