A BBC Look North crew visited the Tyne and Wear Metro Control Room this week as Nexus enters the final stages of a significant £8.8 million technology upgrade at its South Gosforth Control Room.
The broadcaster was on site to report on the transition from the Metro’s ageing analogue systems to a new digital standard, covering equipment that manages critical infrastructure including power supply, fire and intruder alarms, lighting, lifts, escalators, and tunnel drainage pumps.
Nexus Head of Renewals Sarah McManus and Infrastructure Controller Ben Harding were both interviewed for the piece, with footage capturing the Metro’s power desk — where the old mimic board has now been switched off ahead of being replaced by new digital displays.
The existing SCADA system has been in place since the mid-1990s and is reaching the end of its operational lifespan. Once complete, the upgraded system will enable faster and more effective fault detection across the network, with the aim of reducing disruptions for passengers.
The switchover is being completed in phases, with the first stage taking place over the Easter weekend, followed by further work over the Early May Bank Holiday.
When finished, it will represent the most significant upgrade to the Metro control room since a £12 million computerised signalling control system was installed in 2018.
The project is being delivered by Sella Controls, a HIMA Company, supported by Nexus teams. The solution will use the latest SCADA and remote terminal unit (RTU) technology, already proven across the mainline UK rail network.