Residents' 'lives on hold' over Metro extension
BBCPeople living next to the planned route of a Metro rail extension say their lives have been put "on hold" as they wait for details about the £900m scheme.
The project, backed by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, will bring the Tyne and Wear Metro to Washington by connecting the town to existing stations in South Hylton, Sunderland and Pelaw.
However South Hylton residents have said the railway would "divide" their village, with some fearing their homes may have to make way for it.
Nexus, which will be overseeing the extension, said plans had not been finalised but more public engagement sessions would take place in September.
The route will be the first extension to the network for 30 years and follows the former Leamside Line until it crosses the River Wear, then continues on the former Penshaw to Sunderland railway into South Hylton.
The old Penshaw Branch has been mostly dismantled and is now a path, starting across the road from South Hylton Metro station.
Elaine Young, whose home is on an estate along the potential route, said there should be investment in better infrastructure and creating more bus routes from South Hylton instead.
"It's just a complete waste of money," she said.
"The community itself would be completely devastated by it. It would divide the village completely."
A spokesperson for the Strategic Authority said the project would take into consideration bus and Metro connectivity.
"This is about connecting local people to jobs and new opportunities," they said.
Meanwhile, Susan Havenhand said her and husband Terry's house is on the site of a former signal box and they had been living with uncertainty for over a year, waiting to find out if their home would have to be compulsory purchased or end up metres away from train tracks.
"We're thinking to ourselves, 'do I do my garden the way I do it, do I spend money on this, do I spend money on that?'
"We've had our lives on hold."
NexusNexus managing director Cathy Massarella said: "We have developed proposals for the project based off a feasibility study to understand possible options, including where stations and lines might go.
"This also considered resident's input from engagement sessions in summer 2025.
"We are in the process of engaging with landowners potentially impacted by the proposals.
"It is important that we do this before sharing plans more widely."
The Strategic Authority spokesperson said: "Working with Nexus, we will ensure people along the route are kept informed and can share their concerns throughout the planning process."
