Metro service suspended after man spent nine hours on roof of stationary train

To recap what we know so far:

• Last night at around 9.30pm a man climbed on top of a stationary Metro train in Shiremoor.
• The overhead electrical wires were disconnected.
• Police and fire service personnel attended.
• The man stayed there all night, finally coming down at around 6.20am.
• Nexus are now inspecting the overhead wires with a view to restarting full service ASAP.

If you’re weighing up travel options this morning given the metro disruption, there are no significant issues on the roads beyond the usual congestion hotspots.

Beyond that, check your local situation here:

We can inform you that those travelling in the opposite direction from the North Tyneside coast should -according to Nexus’s app, be able to carry out their journeys hassle-free. This is the schedule from Whitley Bay station on the opposite side of the line (heading to St James via North Shields).

While Nexus has described “systemwide delays” following the police incident at Shiremoor, according to the operator’s Pop app, trains in other areas contnue to run frequently.

For example, at Gateshead station trains are due to depart heading into Newcastle in 3, 12, 15 and 24 minutes.

The police incident involved one indiviidual, it appears, and took place in the Shiremoor area on the Metro network. More follows as we get it.

To confirm, police are understood to have apprehended the indivdual involved in the incident on the Metro service this morning, but the service suspension continues while officials check the overhead line for damage. We’ll keep you updated.

Between 5am and 7am a taxi-run shuttle service has been operating – but this will soon end with passengers advised to use local buses and make alternative travel arrangements where possible.

Morning commuters can use a range of buses with their Metro ticket between Longbenton and Whitley Bay. These include the 51, 53, 54, 55, an 57.

Metro operator Nexus has said:

“[Northumbria Police] have been able to secure the person involved in the incident at Shiremoor. We have overhead line staff on site now who will begin conducting tests on the overhead line to ensure that no damage has been made. We will update again when they have made progress.”

This comes following earlier news that the Metro service between Benton and Monkseaton was suspended. A shuttle bus service is in operation at least between 5 and 7am.

Hello – This morning Metro service is suspended between Monkseaton and Benton. This is due to a police incident.