Monument is an underground Tyne and Wear Metro station, serving the Monument area of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England. It opened on 15 November 1981, initially with only the northsouth platforms in use. The eastwest platforms opened a year later.
The station is named after Grey's Monument, which stands directly above it.
It is the most-used station on the Metro network, with 8.1 million passengers in 2024/25,almost twice the number as the second-most-used station, but still lower than the pre-pandemic figure of 9.5 million in 2018/19.
History The station opened with services from the lower-level platforms (1 and 2) commencing on 15 November 1981, when the line was extended south from the temporary terminus at to , as part of phase two of the network.
The remaining two platforms on the upper level (3 and 4) opened when services between and via commenced on 14 November 1982, as part of phase four of the network.
During construction, it was discovered that the column of Grey's Monumentthe statue, built in 1838, that sits above the stationhad foundations less than deep. The engineers had to build better supports for the monument.
Facilities The ticket hall has a number of exits, including into the Fenwick department store, Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Blackett Street and Grey Street.
The ticket hall contains some shops, including a branch of Sainsbury's Local. The station previously housed a Nexus TravelShop, which closed in 2015.
Services , platforms 1 and 2 are served by up to ten trains per hourin each directionon weekdays and Saturdays, and up to eight trains per hour each-way during the evening and on Sundays. Additional services operate between and or at peak times.
Platforms 3 and 4 are served by up to five trains per hourin each directionon weekdays and Saturdays, and up to four trains per hour each-way during the evening and on Sundays.
Artworks The station features three art installations. Outside the station, a simple ventilation shaft has been disguised by Parsons Polygon. Created by David Hamilton, in 1985, as a tribute to Sir Charles Parsons. It is made from clay and features abstract designs based on Parsons' engineering drawings.
Inside the Blackett Street entrance is a mural, Famous Faces, created in 1996 by Bob Olley. It features a number of famous people from North East England, looking out of the window of a Metrocar. Maxïmo Park, who grew up in the area, mention the mural in their song By the Monument.
Circuit was installed in 2001. Created by Richard Cole, it features designs based on electronic circuit boards, that have been sand-blasted into the walls and paving of station entrances.
Gallery
References
External links
Train times and station information for Monument Map of the local area, showing bus stop locations