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Platform one at Benton Metro station, where trains depart towards Newcastle city centre and South Shields, remains closed after loose coping stones were found on the station buildings.

The platform was closed on Monday, May 27, and will continue to remain so until the issue is repaired – which Nexus say will be as soon as possible.

Metro passengers who need to board on platform one at Benton are instead encouraged to use platform two to head to Palmersville and switch sides, while passengers looking to alight at Benton are encouraged to continue onto Four Lane Ends and catch a train from the opposite platform.

A Nexus spokesperson said: “Customers are being advised that platform one at Benton Metro station is currently closed and trains are not stopping there due to structural damage. This is in the interest of public safety after loose coping stones on the station building were discovered early on Sunday morning.

Sandbags have been laid out on the platform, and scaffolding will be put up as repairs are undertaken. Trains will not stop at platform one; but platform two, for trains towards the coast, remains open.

“A detailed structural assessment is being carried out and we aim to get this issue repaired as soon as possible this week. In order to carry out the works safely we will need to put scaffolding up on the station building.

“We’re sorry for the inconvenience this is causing to our customers. Platform two at Benton for trains to the North Tyneside coast and St James remains open to the public.

“If customers need to alight at Benton on trains from the coast heading towards South Gosforth then they will need to alight at Four Lane Ends instead, change platforms and catch a Metro back to Benton platform two. Any customers who need to board at Benton platform one for trains to Newcastle via Four Lane Ends will need to cross over the footbridge and then travel on to Palmersville, change to platform two, and then head back towards Newcastle city centre on the next available Metro service.

“For the latest updates customers should go to www.nexus.org.uk or follow our X page, formerly Twitter, @My_Metro.”

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