West Jesmond Metro station

Infobox T&W Metro station
name =
T&W Zone = 17
Metro Zone = A
locale = Jesmond
borough = Newcastle
open = 1900-12-01
conv = 1978-08-23
metrosince = 1980-08-11
platform=2

West Jesmond Metro station is one of two Tyne and Wear Metro stations that serve the suburb of Jesmond in Newcastle upon Tyne. West Jesmond is the busiest suburban station on the Metro network, with 966,467 annual passenger boardings in 1995-96. [cite book
last = Young
first = Alan
title = Suburban Railways of Tyneside
publisher = Martin Bairstow
date = 1999
pages = p 94
id = ISBN 1-871944-20-1]

History

It was built by the North Eastern Railway company as a heavy rail station, and opened in December 1900 [cite web |url=http://www.northumbrian-railways.co.uk/blyth-and-tyne-stations.html |title=Blyth and Tyne stations |publisher=Northumbrian Railways |accessdate=2008-04-26] . The station platforms are on opposite sides of the line and are linked by an underground pedestrian subway.

The platforms originally had glass awnings to shelter passengers, but these were removed in the 1970s. The sawn-off remnants of these awnings can still be seen attached to the station buildings.

The station closed in 1978 for conversion to Metro service, reopening in August 1980. The original station buildings were kept, but the platforms were shortened and a new footbridge was built over the line.

Notable landmarks

The derelict Jesmond Picture House building is adjacent to the station, and is clearly visible from passing Metro 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. [cite book
last = Manders
first = Frank
title = Cinemas of Newcastle
publisher = Tyne Bridge Publishing
date = 2005
pages = p 120
id = ISBN 1-85795-152-2 ] The cinema is set to be demolished in late 2008/early 2009 to make way for a new office and shopping complex, after standing derelict for nearly 15 years. Plans were recently approved by the local council.

References

External links

* [http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Metro/Timetables/Metro+-+Timetable+-+West+Jesmond+Metro+Station Train times] and [http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Metro/Station+information/Metro+Station+-+West+Jesmond station information] for West Jesmond Metro station from Nexus
* [http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2007/08/06/picture-house-plan-has-people-worried-61634-19575891/ Report on future plans for Jesmond Picture House]