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Mine shaft collapse halts Metro | Mine shaft collapse halts Metro |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Major disruption has been caused to the Tyne and Wear Metro system after an old mine shaft collapsed near a station. | Major disruption has been caused to the Tyne and Wear Metro system after an old mine shaft collapsed near a station. |
A train driver spotted the hole near the track at Northumberland Park, North Tyneside, on Wednesday evening. | |
All services have been suspended on a 2.5 mile (4km) stretch of track between Benton and Shiremoor. | |
The suspension is expected to be in place until Friday and replacement bus services are in operation between Four Lane Ends and Shiremoor. | The suspension is expected to be in place until Friday and replacement bus services are in operation between Four Lane Ends and Shiremoor. |
Engineers are trying to establish the extent of the damage, according to Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus. | |
Speaking on Thursday morning, spokesman Huw Lewis said: "We know it's about six-feet wide and it's right beside the Metro line. At the moment, we don't know how deep it goes or how far it runs from the opening. | |
"Engineers brought in from the Midlands overnight are exploring, so that so we can find out what's needed to put things right." | |
Mick Carbro, director of Metro, added: "I want to apologise to passengers for the disruption they are suffering, but we have to close this stretch of line while we investigate the subsidence and make the track completely safe. | |
"My staff are concentrating on two things - making sure we get Metro back to normal as soon as possible, and providing the best possible alternative travel in the meantime." |
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