Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, said it will invest £35 million in Metro modernisation work in 2017.

It said the work will involve major projects to renew and replace the Metro’s ageing infrastructure, including track and overhead lines.

It forms part of the £350 million Metro “all change” modernisation programme, the scheme to secure Metro’s long term future over 11 years.

Nexus said it is in discussions with the UK Government over funding for its plans to invest £537 million in a new train fleet, and for a further £518.5 million to continue with the programme of essential renewals throughout the next decade.

The modernisation programme is now into its sixth year.

Major Metro renewal projects in 2017 will include:

• Track replacement work between Wallsend and St James
• The start of a five year scheme to replace 300km of overhead power lines
• Track replacement work between Longbenton and Northumberland Park
• The installation of a new Metro bridge over Killingworth Road

Director of Rail and Infrastructure, Raymond Johnstone, said: “We are pressing on with modernisation projects worth a total of £35 million in 2017 as we continue to secure the long term future of the Tyne and Wear Metro system.

“There are some major schemes, not least the track the replacement work, which will mean some disruption to passengers while we carry out the work.

“However, this will mean that we have a Metro system for many more generations to come.

“The investment is absolutely vital so that we replace ageing pieces of the infrastructure, which will be of benefit to the 39 million passengers who travel on Metro every year.”

Nexus said it will invest £110 million through 2021 on modernisation projects.

This will bring total investment across the decade to over £350 million.