Metros not running on morning of half marathon

Runners in an annual city road race have been told there will be no rail services on the morning of the event.

Tyne and Wear Metro trains will not operate to Sunderland until about 11:30 BST on Sunday, when the city's 10k and half marathon take place.

The closure, in both directions between Pelaw and South Hylton, is to allow for Network Rail maintenance work, with a replacement bus service in place instead.

Organisers said it was "disappointing and unhelpful", but Network Rail said the "vital" work had been planned 18 months ago and communicated in advance.

More than 4,000 runners are expected to take part in this year's races, with some people on social media claiming similar disruption would not happen at the Great North Run.

The 10k race will kick off at 10:00 and the half marathon will start at 10:25.

A spokesperson for Events of the North said: "Clearly, it's disappointing and unhelpful that Metro services won't be running on Sunday morning.

"Unfortunately, neither Nexus, the North East Combined Authority, nor Events of the North can influence when works are planned, which are entirely in the hands of Network Rail."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We always communicate with train operators and local stakeholders well in advance when initially agreeing these dates and in preparing for the work to take place."

Replacement bus service 901 will be in place between Heworth and South Hylton calling at most stations in both directions, Nexus said.

However, due to road closures around Sunderland city centre for the races, the buses will not be able to call to the following stations:

• Sunderland - use Park Lane replacement bus stop instead
• St Peter's - use Seaburn or Park Lane replacement bus stop
• Stadium of Light - use Seaburn replacement bus stop

Bus operator Stagecoach has also warned some of it services will be affected due to road closures in the city.

There will be diversions on some routes including the E1, E2 and E6.

The following roads will be closed:

• St Mary's Way & Livingstone Road - from 06:00 until about 16:00
• Wearmouth Bridge - from 08:45 until about 14:30
• Fawcett Street - from 08:15 until about 13:30
• Burdon Road - from 08:45 until about 13:30
• Sunniside/Tatham Street - from 08:15 until about12:00
• Toward Road - from 08:45 until about 12:45
• West Wear Street - from 08:15 until about 14:30
• Hendon Road - from 08:15 until about 11:45
• Ryhope Road - from 08:45 until about 13:15
• Mowbray Road & Park Road (between Ryhope Road and Toward Road) - from 08:45 until 13:15
• Dame Dorothy Street - from 08:15 until about 14:30
• Roker Terrace - A183 to Side Cliff Road from 08:15 until about 14:00

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