Station code MCE 2011/12 0.357 million | Grid reference NZ215627 Managed by Northern 2012/13 0.375 million Number of platforms 2 | |
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MetroCentre railway station is a railway station that serves the MetroCentre shopping and leisure complex in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. It is located on the Tyne Valley Line from Newcastle upon Tyne to Carlisle, and is managed by Northern.
Contents
The station opened by British Rail on 3 August 1987. It is an unmanned station, connected to the MetroCentre mall by a covered footbridge. Initially called Gateshead MetroCentre, the station's name was shortened to MetroCentre from 17 May 1993. The section of line that the station is situated on is part of the original 1837 Newcastle and Carlisle Railway route along the south bank of the River Tyne to Redheugh (Gateshead), with the links onwards via Dunston, Bensham Junction and the King Edward Bridge being added in 1893/1909.
Facilities
The station has no ticket machines, so tickets must be bought in advance or on the train. There are waiting rooms on both platforms and a help point on platform 1. Train running information is offered via automatic announcements, digital information screens and timetable posters. Step-free access from the shopping complex and car park is via a ramped footbridge to both platforms.
Services
There is a regular shuttle service to Newcastle Central station (four trains per hour, of which two start/terminate here), a half-hourly service to Hexham and hourly extensions through to Carlisle. Additionally, some eastbound trains run beyond Newcastle to either Sunderland, Hartlepool & Middlesbrough via the Durham Coast Line or to Morpeth (hourly to each).
On Sundays, there is an hourly service to/from Carlisle and three per hour to/from Newcastle - one of these continues to Sunderland & Middlesbrough.
Most train services are operated by Northern, however the station is also served by Abellio ScotRail, which operates a few daily services to Glasgow via Carlisle. ScotRail do not run trains on Sundays to and from Newcastle.
The station is covered by a Ditra Public Address System (PA), voiced by Phil Sayer.