North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has secured a landmark £1.85 billion transport investment from the UK Government, marking the largest infrastructure funding package in the region’s history.
Central to this ambitious plan is the creation of the first new Tyne and Wear Metro line in more than three decades, a project set to transform regional connectivity.
The new Metro line—estimated at £900 million—will finally link Washington, one of England’s largest towns without a rail connection, to the wider Tyne and Wear network.
It will also connect key employment sites, including the UK’s largest advanced manufacturing hub near the Nissan plant. The line is expected to be operational by 2033, with detailed design and development work already underway.
Mayor McGuinness, who personally lobbied Chancellor Rachel Reeves to secure the funding, described the investment as a major breakthrough in her transport strategy. At the core of this is the Angel Network—a vision for a fully integrated, green transport system to support growth, housing and opportunity across the North East.
The £1.85 billion investment comes through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS2), which covers the 2027–2032 period. It includes wide-ranging improvements such as:
• Construction of the new Washington Metro line
• Large-scale road maintenance across the region
• Hundreds of new electric vehicle (EV) charging points
• Safer, high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure
• Contactless travel integration across Metro, bus, and rail services
• Public control of local bus services and expanded electric bus fleets
• Accessibility and safety enhancements at stations and interchanges
Mayor McGuinness stated the funding would enable the North East to deliver a world-class public transport system. She emphasized her commitment to safer, more accessible travel—particularly for women and girls—and to ensuring greener, more reliable options for all commuters.
This investment also forms part of the North East Combined Authority’s new Integrated Settlement, which supports transport, housing, skills, and employment under the Mayor’s New Deal for North East Workers.
With additional private sector contributions anticipated, this deal positions the North East for long-term sustainable development and greater economic opportunity through improved transport links.
