North East of England Mayor Kim McGuinness announced that the first new Metro line for 30 years will be built as part of a £1.85 billion funding deal agreed with the UK Government.

Metro to Washington is a 13km extension to the Tyne and Wear Metro system which forms a key part of McGuinness’ vision to transform local transport and create an integrated network spanning the region.

Using former railway alignments, including part of the Leamside Line, Metro to Washington will link existing stations at Pelaw and South Hylton via Washington. The extension includes new stations at Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South.

While the project is limited to an extension of Metro, it is viewed by the Mayor as a key step towards the full re-opening of the Leamside Line in the future.

Mayor McGuinness secured the investment after raising it personally with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and hailed the deal agreed with Treasury as “game changing.”

The mayor’s deal will provide a major boost towards meeting the total cost of Metro to Washington, with the whole package also expected to include private sector funding.

Work to draw up detailed plans for the line through Washington is already underway, with the new line, estimated to cost a total of about £900 million, expected to see the first trains run in 2033, just over 30 years since the Metro line through Sunderland opened.

It will serve tens of thousands of homes in Washington, the fourth largest town in England not until now connected to the rail network, and bring people to jobs in the UK’s largest advanced manufacturing zone around the Nissan car factory.

McGuinness said: “When I was elected Mayor I promised voters I would extend the Metro and now, 12 months on, I can today announce that will happen.

“I am thrilled to say we can now get on with the job of building the first new Metro line for 30 years, at last connecting Washington to the rail network and linking tens of thousands of people to new jobs and opportunity in our growing advanced manufacturing sector.

“This is a game-changing moment for the people of our region, who can look forward to a truly world-class integrated public transport network, safer walking and cycling routes throughout our towns and cities, better local roads and a massive acceleration on our journey to an EV future.

“I promised to make the North East the home of real opportunity and deliver quality integrated transport that works for all.  This funding means that we can create the Angel Network with buses under public control, more electric buses running on time along priority corridors, and contactless smart travel whether you are on a bus a Metro or a train.

“We will improve accessibility and safety for women and girls through upgrades to railway stations, interchanges and bus stops, make walking and cycling routes attractive and build the best electric vehicle charging network in the country.”

Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Metro owner Nexus, said: “Today’s funding announcement from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness is fantastic news for the Tyne and Wear Metro, our customers, and the Nexus workforce.

“This project is going to be transformative for the people of Washington and our customers, opening a new Metro route corridor along the northern part of the former Leamside Line to one of our region’s largest towns.

“We look forward to working with our colleagues at the North East Combined Authority to take this exciting project forward.

“As the public body which operates the Metro system, this as an historic moment for Nexus, one that comes just six months after we began the roll out of our new Metro train fleet.”

Sunderland Council leader Michael Mordey said: “This is great news for Washington and the whole city of Sunderland. We have waited a long time to see Metro reach Washington with a direct line from the city centre.

“This new Metro line will transform public transport for people living in Washington and connect people from surrounding areas to the jobs we are creating around Nissan and the neighbouring International Advanced Manufacturing Park.”