Simonside Metro station

Simonside is a station on the Tyne and Wear Metro, serving South Shields in South Tyneside. The station joined the network in March 2008, and is currently (as of May 2020) the newest station on the network.[2]

Simonside
Tyne and Wear Metro station
LocationSouth Shields, South Tyneside
England
Coordinates54°58′17″N 1°27′17″W
Grid referenceNZ349642
Transit authorityTyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive
Platforms2
Tracks2
Construction
Bicycle facilities2 cycle pods
Disabled accessStep-free access to platform level
Other information
Station codeSMD
Fare zoneC
History
Original companyTyne and Wear Metro
Key dates
17 March 2008Opened
Passengers
2017/180.17 million[1]
Services
Preceding station Metro Following station
Tyne Dock
towards South Shields
 Yellow Line Bede
towards St. James via Whitley Bay
Location

The station was constructed at a cost of £3.2 million, with original plans to open in January 2007.[3] However, delays in planning and construction meant that the station opened later than planned, in March 2008,[4][5] replacing Northumberland Park (which opened in December 2005) as the newest station on the network.

The decision to construct a station here was controversial, with the decision not universally welcomed by all local residents. There were concerns that the station's opening would lead to an increase in both crime and local road traffic.[6]

Simonside was used by 169,688 passengers in 2017–18, making it the seventh-least-used station on the network.

Facilities

Step-free access is available at all stations across the Tyne and Wear Metro network, with ramps providing step-free access to both platforms at Simonside. The station is equipped with ticket machines, waiting shelter, seating, next train information displays, timetable posters, and an emergency help point on both platforms. Ticket machines are able to accept payment with credit and debit card (including contactless payment), notes and coins.[7][8] The station is also fitted with smartcard validators, which feature at all stations across the network.[9][10]

There is no dedicated car parking available at the station. There is the provision for cycle parking, with 2 cycle pods available for use.[11]

Service and frequency

Simonside is served by the Yellow Line, which operates between South Shields and St. James with an end-to-end journey time of 83 minutes.

Services from platform 1 operate towards South Shields, with the first train departing at 05:31 (05:38 on Saturday and 06:53 on Sunday). Services from platform 2 operate towards St. James via Whitley Bay, with the first train departing at 05:50 (05:54 on Saturday and 07:09 on Sunday). Trains run frequently across the network, at intervals of up to every 12 minutes (Monday to Saturday daytime), and every 15 minutes (evening and Sunday), with the last trains departing at around midnight.[11]

Journey times from Simonside are:

References
  1. "Tyne & Wear Metro usage figures". 2017–2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  2. Kingsley, Nick (30 January 2009). "Light rail pioneer secures a long-term future". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  3. "£3m Metro station approved by council". The Northern Echo. 10 October 2005. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  4. "Start date for 60th Metro station". BBC News. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  5. "'Travel free' offer as £3.2m station opens". Railnews. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  6. "Concern over Metro station plan". BBC News. 4 October 2005. Retrieved 26 January 2007.
  7. "Metro passengers feel the benefit of contactless payment". Nexus. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  8. "Revamp for Metro ticket machines". BBC News. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  9. "City Metro stations get new smart ticket machines and gates". Nexus. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  10. "Pop card validators at Metro stations are put through their paces". Nexus. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  11. "Timetables and stations: Simonside". Nexus. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
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