Trains return to Whitley Bay on 2 November but stop at Tynemouth until 5 November, while Nexus repairs a damaged bridge in North Shields. Buses fill the gap.

Metro trains will run through Whitley Bay again from Monday 2 November, as planned. But they will not go beyond Tynemouth until Thursday 5 November.

Nexus found damage to a bridge over the line in North Shields this week. No trains will run between Tynemouth and Wallsend while it is repaired. Nexus announced the extension on Friday 30 October (Nexus).

What runs from Monday

  • Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth: Yellow Line trains at the normal frequency, coming from South Shields through the city and round via Benton. Nexus says some journey times may change.
  • North Shields, Meadow Well, Percy Main, Howdon and Hadrian Road: no trains until Thursday 5 November. These are the stations between Tynemouth and Wallsend.
  • Replacement buses run between Wallsend and Tynemouth every 20 minutes, from 5.30am to 12.30am. Nexus says this service “will be very busy”.
  • Wallsend to St James: trains every 20 minutes.

Nexus advises people travelling from the coast into Newcastle to stay on the Metro and go via Benton, rather than taking the bus through North Shields.

The coast Metro from Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November 2026. Trains at normal frequency at Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth, where they end. No trains at North Shields, Meadow Well, Percy Main, Howdon and Hadrian Road; a replacement bus runs Tynemouth to Wallsend every 20 minutes from 5.30am to 12.30am. Trains every 20 minutes from Wallsend to St James.
Which coast stations have trains from Monday. Graphic by Whitley Bay News
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What is wrong with the bridge

The bridge is disused and was already closed to the public. It crosses the line between North Shields and Tynemouth stations. Damage to its stonework was found during a planned inspection this week, while the line was shut for the nine-day closure between St James and Monkseaton.

Kevin Storey, Nexus’s operations director, said the damage needs “immediate and substantial repairs”. These can only be done safely with no trains running.

“It is not a quick job to repair this type of damage. We need to turn the power off for this section of the system and have scaffolding in place above the tracks.”

He said Nexus is investigating what caused the damage, “including whether it was impacted by recent storms”. The repairs are going on over the weekend and into next week.

The nine-day closure itself, for track, overhead line and station work, ends on schedule. Trains have not run through Whitley Bay since Saturday 24 October. Our story on that closure has the bus 900 details, which still apply until the end of Sunday.

What it means for you

  • Commuting to Newcastle from Whitley Bay or Monkseaton? Your trains are back on Monday, and the route into Newcastle via Benton is not affected. Only the route round through North Shields and Wallsend is.
  • Travelling to North Shields, the Fish Quay or the ferry from the coast? Take the Metro to Tynemouth and change to the replacement bus, until Thursday.
  • Going to the fireworks on The Links on Sunday 1 November? There are still no trains to Whitley Bay that night. See our fireworks page.
  • Driving instead? Coast Road slip roads close overnight in turn next week. Our roadworks and travel page lists them night by night.

Nexus posts live updates on its Pop app, on X at @My_Metro and on Travel North East. We will update this story if the reopening date changes.