# West Jesmond Metro station

West Jesmond is a Tyne and Wear Metro station, and former British Rail station, serving the suburb of Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England. It was originally opened on 1 December 1900 by the North Eastern Railway, and became part of the Tyne and Wear Metro on 11 August 1980.

## History

The station was opened on 1 December 1900 by the North Eastern Railway on the route of its Blyth and Tyne line that had opened 36 years earlier. The station was built in response to the spread of terraced housing in the area, to the east of Town Moor.
The station had two side platforms, linked by an underground pedestrian subway and with the principal buildings on the east side and a waiting room on the west side. The buildings were single story, in red brick, and the principal building had a central ridged gable with hipped roof pavilions at either end. The platforms originally had glass awnings to shelter passengers, but these were removed in the 1970s, although the remnants can still be seen attached to the station buildings.
For the first few years after its opening the station was served by an irregular steam service, but the line was eventually electrified, using the third rail system, and on 29 March 1904 a frequent electric service was initiated. Initially electric trains operated only from Newcastle New Bridge Street to Benton station, but in stages electrification was extended and a new link into Newcastle Central built, so that by 1909 services could run from Newcastle Central to Newcastle Central via the coast and West Jesmond, thus creating the North Tyneside Loop.
In 1967 the third rail electrification was phased out, with the last electric train running on 17 June 1967. The replacement diesel trains provided a slower and less frequent service, and this loss was one of the driving factors for the eventual establishment of the Tyne and Wear Metro. The station closed on 23 January 1978 for conversion to the new system. The original station buildings were retained, but the platforms were shortened, with a new accessible footbridge built over the line.
West Jesmond reopened as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro on 11 August 1980, following the opening of the first phase of the network, between Haymarket and Tynemouth via Four Lane Ends.

## Facilities

The station has two side platforms, with separate step-free access to both. The southbound platform has level access from Lyndhurst Avenue, whilst the northbound platform has ramped access from Brentwood Avenue. Between platforms, there is a ramped footbridge. There is no dedicated car parking available at this station. There is provision for cycle parking, with five cycle pods available for use for up to 10 bicycles.
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. The station is also fitted with smartcard validators, which feature at all stations across the network.

## Services

As of September 2024, the station is served by up to ten trains per hour per direction on weekdays and Saturday, and up to eight trains per hour during the evening and on Sunday. In the northbound direction, half the trains run to Airport and half to St James via Whitley Bay. In the southbound direction, half the trains run to South Shields and half to South Hylton via Sunderland.
Rolling stock used: Class 599 Metrocar

## Notable landmarks

The former Jesmond Picture House stood adjacent to the station, and was clearly visible from passing trains. This suburban cinema opened in 1921 and survived well into the multiplex age. Made in America was the last film to be screened there, when it finally closed its doors in October 1993. The cinema was demolished in 2009 to make way for a new office and shopping complex, after standing derelict for nearly 16 years. Plans were approved by the local council in 2008. The new building, named The Jesmond, finally opened in March 2016.