Metro Trains Back On After Powercut in Newcastle

8 January 2015, 13:05 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A major power failure shut down the Tyne and Wear Metro this morning, meanwhile 42,000 homes were without electricity

Hundreds of passengers on their way to work were brought to a standstill after a major power failure hit the Tyne and Wear Metro system.

The transport service was struck by the Northern Powergrid power cut at around 10am this morning, that affected more than 40,000 properties across Newcastle, including Gosforth, Heaton and Longbenton.

Many commuters were left stranded after the whole Metro network had to come to a stop, with just a limited service running between Pelaw and South Hylton.

Nexus, which runs the service, says the service has now re-opened with only Central Metro station in Newcastle still closed.

A Metro spokesperson said:
''At around 10am this morning there was a power outage from Northern Powergrid. It affected all of the Metro routes and
the service came to a stop."

''Metro managed to have a service between Pelaw and South Hylton but all other services were brought to a stop."

Northumbria police now have extra officers out in the affected areas to reassure the public and offer assistance.

They advise passengers to check local media and social media for updates.

A spokeswoman for Northern Powergrid said:
"At around 10am this morning a power cut in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area affected 42,769 properties on our network."

"We're sorry for the inconvenience caused for our customers and are currently investigating the cause of the power cut."

"Our initial investigations indicate that it may have been caused by accidental damage to an underground high
voltage cable by a third party."

"Our engineers worked quickly and within 20 minutes we had diverted electricity supplies and reconnected more than 27,000 customers." 

"Our remaining affected customers were all restored by 10.50am."
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Updated at 12.14pm on Thursday 8th January 2015

A powercut this morning caused Metro stations across Newcastle to close.

The whole service was suspended except from Pelaw to South Hylton which has not been affected.

Northern Powergrid say they've now reconnected more than 27,000 customers after homes within the NE postcode area were without power.

In a statement they have told Capital: 

“At around 10am this morning a power cut in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area affected 42,769 properties on our network.

 “We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused for our customers. 

"Our initial investigations indicate that it may have been caused by accidental damage to an underground high voltage cable by a third party.

“Our engineers worked quickly and within 20 minutes we had diverted electricity supplies and reconnected more than 27,000 customers. 

Our remaining affected customers were all restored by 10.50am.”