Sharon has campaigned on this issue since her election in 2005, alongside residents from across Tyne and Wear. Campaigns have often focused on extending the Metro system to Washington, including presenting four separate petitions to Parliament on that issue.

Neighbouring MPs have contributed important work to bring this ongoing campaign to the Government’s attention, such as Fraser Kemp, Bridget Phillipson, and most recently Paul Howell. That proves that re-opening Leamside is a regional issue, with cross-party support.

Some examples of Sharon’s work on this issue below.

2019

https://www.sharonhodgson.org/sharon_calls_for_metro_extension_to_washington

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/mp-calls-former-leamside-line-be-used-extend-metro-washington-121794

Last week during Transport Qs, I argued the case for extending the Metro to Washington. This has been 1 of my campaigns since I was first elected in 05, back when it was just a dream. I'm pleased that this is now in local transport plans, & I will continue to campaign on this. pic.twitter.com/OWvI8Gnk8l

— Sharon Hodgson MP 😷💙 (@SharonHodgsonMP) March 26, 2019

2017

https://www.sharonhodgson.org/sharon_gears_up_campaign_to_extend_metro_to_washington_with_letter_to_transport_secretary

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2017-07-13/debates/BCA5486C-4B69-460E-B3B0-B15CC554A01A/TopicalQuestions?highlight=metro#contribution-EA6D608D-A405-4761-83DA-74256B23743D

2016

https://www.sharonhodgson.org/sharon_calls_on_transport_secretary_to_support_north_east_combined_authority_s_decision_to_extend_the_tyne_wear_metro_into_washington

2015

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-31746651

https://www.sharonhodgson.org/sharon_hodgson_mp_calls_for_the_extension_of_metro_to_washington_1st_july_2015

Votes have been called early, so I will be presenting my extension of the Metro to Washington petition in the next 10 or so minutes.

— Sharon Hodgson MP 😷💙 (@SharonHodgsonMP) March 4, 2015

Petition: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2015-03-04/debates/15030475000932/ExtensionOfTheTyneAndWearMetro?highlight=petition#contribution-15030475000793

2014

Petition: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2014-05-06/debates/14050637001030/ExtensionOfTheTyneAndWearMetroToWashington?highlight=petition#contribution-14050637000910

2013

Petition: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2013-03-07/debates/13030773000013/ExtensionOfTheTyneAndWearMetroToWashington

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2013-06-05/debates/13060561000003/EastCoastMainLine?highlight=metro#contribution-13060561000308

2012

Petition: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2012-11-13/debates/121113102000145/ExtensionOfTheTyneAndWearMetroToWashington?highlight=petition#contribution-121113102000093