Simonside Metro station

Simonside
Tyne and Wear Metro station
General information
Location	West Harton, South Tyneside England
Coordinates	54°58′18″N1°27′20″W / 54.9717070°N 1.4554849°W / 54.9717070; -1.4554849
Grid reference	NZ349642
Transit authority	Tyne and Wear PTE
Platforms	2
Tracks	2
Construction
Bicycle facilities	2 cycle pods
Accessible	Step-free access to platform
Other information
Station code	SMD
Fare zone	C
History
Original company	Tyne and Wear Metro
Key dates
17 March 2008	Opened
Passengers
2017/18	0.17 million [1]
Services
Preceding station Tyne and Wear Metro Following station Tyne Dock towards South Shields Yellow Line Bede towards St James via  Whitley Bay
Location Simonside Location in Tyne and Wear, England

Simonside is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the suburb of West Harton, South Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, England. It joined the network on 17 March 2008.

History

The station was constructed at a cost of £3.2 million, with original plans to open in January 2007. ^[2] However, delays in planning and construction meant that the station opened later than planned, on 17 March 2008. ^{[3] [4]}

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. ^[5]

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. ^{[6] [7]} The station is also fitted with smartcard validators, which feature at all stations across the network. ^{[8] [9]}

There is no dedicated car parking available at the station. There is the provision for cycle parking, with two cycle pods available for use. ^[10]

Services

As of April 2021 ^[update] , the station is served by up to five trains per hour on weekdays and Saturday, and up to four trains per hour during the evening and on Sunday. ^[11]

Rolling stock used: Class 599 Metrocar

References

1. "Tyne & Wear Metro usage figures". 2017–2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
2. "£3m Metro station approved by council". The Northern Echo. 10 October 2005. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
3. "Start date for 60th Metro station". BBC News. 16 January 2006. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
4. "'Travel free' offer as £3.2m station opens". Railnews. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
5. "Concern over Metro station plan". BBC News. 4 October 2005. Retrieved 26 January 2007.
6. "Metro passengers feel the benefit of contactless payment". Nexus. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
7. "Revamp for Metro ticket machines". BBC News. 11 December 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
8. "City Metro stations get new smart ticket machines and gates". Nexus. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
9. "Pop card validators at Metro stations are put through their paces". Nexus. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
10. "Timetables and stations: Simonside". Nexus. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
11. "Timetables and stations: Simonside". Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive . Retrieved 30 March 2021.

External links

• Media related to Simonside Metro station at Wikimedia Commons
• Timetable and station information for Simonside