Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority has reported that unless there is a significant increase in funding it will be unable to pay for new carriages, major signalling works, revamping existing stations or building new stations, which have been proposed for South Shields, North Shields and Heworth.

An economic analysis by Metro operator Nexus, which investigated the proposed renewal and maintenance works, found that benefits would outweigh costs by more than eight to one. The scheme’s three phases would take 20 years to complete and cost just over £600m at today’s prices.