North East Buses

MCW Metrorider, seems quite strange looking back seeing Stagecoach operating Minibuses

New road is now open next to the londonderry which leads to the roof car park.

Old road is now blocked off.

Sunderland bar Chase demolished in £1 million revamp project

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/what-s-on/...-1-6786311

(20 Aug 2014, 8:55 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Sunderland bar Chase demolished in £1 million revamp project

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/what-s-on/...-1-6786311

Im sure they found some roman artifacs while knocking it down

Does anyone think that the Market in Sunderland, just down from Park Lane should be closed altogether, As I walk through it on a Regular Basis when going down to Ingeus, as a quick Short Cut, and I have noticed there is never anyone going in there.

In recent months the Sweet Shop has gone and few other things also, only the Barbers and Carpet thing, a Cafe, some shoe shop and the main Butchers/Grocers left in there now, might it be worth shutting up shop for good, as I personally can't see anybody opening up any new Businesses in there at all.

On top of this, some Buildings on Holmeside have been knocked down, and the 3 Bars at the Top, have been served with Eviction notices in the last 4 to 6 Weeks, Certainly doesn't look good for this Part of Sunderland.

(26 Aug 2014, 5:56 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Does anyone think that the Market in Sunderland, just down from Park Lane should be closed altogether, As I walk through it on a Regular Basis when going down to Ingeus, as a quick Short Cut, and I have noticed there is never anyone going in there.

In recent months the Sweet Shop has gone and few other things also, only the Barbers and Carpet thing, a Cafe, some shoe shop and the main Butchers/Grocers left in there now, might it be worth shutting up shop for good, as I personally can't see anybody opening up any new Businesses in there at all.

On top of this, some Buildings on Holmeside have been knocked down, and the 3 Bars at the Top, have been served with Eviction notices in the last 4 to 6 Weeks, Certainly doesn't look good for this Part of Sunderland.

Arizona and purple bar has re-opened according to a few people.. I'm not sure about the point.

The market however i agree, it should moved, although not sure what would become of that space.

least where the buildings have gone, something else will be built.

(26 Aug 2014, 6:00 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Arizona and purple bar has re-opened according to a few people.. I'm not sure about the point.

The market however i agree, it should moved, although not sure what would become of that space.

least where the buildings have gone, something else will be built.

How many OAP's use the MECCA Bingo Hall, as that could go, as I am sure there is another one at the Top of Park Lane, then Knock down the Market also.

Sunderland City Council needs to do something ASAP to create Jobs and Money in that Area, Perhaps a Supermarket i.e. Asda or Sainsbury's, Resturants and Bars to help boost Nightlife in the Town, As really there is only few Bars near the Lambton Worm and thats it, and the Resturants are all over by the Cinema other than Panda, Basically there Area needs a Major Overhaul.

(26 Aug 2014, 5:56 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Does anyone think that the Market in Sunderland, just down from Park Lane should be closed altogether, As I walk through it on a Regular Basis when going down to Ingeus, as a quick Short Cut, and I have noticed there is never anyone going in there.

In recent months the Sweet Shop has gone and few other things also, only the Barbers and Carpet thing, a Cafe, some shoe shop and the main Butchers/Grocers left in there now, might it be worth shutting up shop for good, as I personally can't see anybody opening up any new Businesses in there at all.

On top of this, some Buildings on Holmeside have been knocked down, and the 3 Bars at the Top, have been served with Eviction notices in the last 4 to 6 Weeks, Certainly doesn't look good for this Part of Sunderland.

Park Lane market are on short term leases.

If their decide to knock that area down, the only premises that will be left standing will be the section of bars on the end, unless the council put in a compulsory purchase orders on the properties.

The new college site on Holmside triangle will be on the foot print of what has already been demolition.

Not strictly speaking linked to the bus management and infrastructure side of things, but as it's a Sunderland Development, thought I'd stick it in here anyway...
The bus stops outside may have to be sealed off or something!

Sunderland’s The Point nightclub to become ‘premier music venue’
Read more: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/what-s-on/...-1-6808423

(28 Aug 2014, 4:50 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Not strictly speaking linked to the bus management and infrastructure side of things, but as it's a Sunderland Development, thought I'd stick it in here anyway...
The bus stops outside may have to be sealed off or something!

Sunderland’s The Point nightclub to become ‘premier music venue’
Read more: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/what-s-on/...-1-6808423

I doubt they will get many name bands to play there as most places where people will play are owned by O2 like the O2 Academy in Newcastle and they could not get many people to play at places like Pure and Independent in Sunderland and I doubt this place will be any different its mostly local bands like Hyde and Beast playing there these days. Look at Durham Live Lounge they struggled to get anyone and no one went to the gigs there or even when it was a nightclub. Middlesbrough Empire has had no one this year either. Also Newcastle is a well known place with several trains going through. I hope to be proven wrong and hopes that things go well for them and hopefully they'll manage to get people I want to see.

Dont see the point now...we have the SOL where they play.

Least something is happening around the area... i just hope its not gonna be expensive....

not sure if this was posted here but

T & W Freight Partnership - 3 September 2013 -Sunderland Transport Projects

http://www.tyneandwearfreight.info/repor...t%2013.pdf

--------------------------
The road next to bridge leading on to St Mary's looks much better, looks like there's still things to do though.

---

It looks much better on Holmeside now the buildings have being knocked down

update on skyscrapercity forum of the new road and new square

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1710912&page=6 - Public Square

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1006895&page=36 - New road layout...

Both links are on the latest page


Also:

http://www.sunderlandnow.com/local-news/...al-switch/

This gonna be a nightmare!

WEARSIDE has spoken – and Keel Square it is.

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local...-1-6873074


Also

Trains returning to the Port of Sunderland

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-6872932

The traffic flowed a hell of a lot better during the switch over

(08 Oct 2014, 8:49 am)idiot wrote [ -> ]The traffic flowed a hell of a lot better during the switch over

I haven't being down that area for about 2 month... sounds like its got worse since the new signals was installed

(08 Oct 2014, 9:35 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]I haven't being down that area for about 2 month... sounds like its got worse since the new signals was installed

I used St Mary's car park Tuesday morning gone. Managed to get out onto St Mary's road but had to wait a very long time at traffic lights going towards the docks. Seems it takes 3 times longer at the lights to change to green than before.

(08 Oct 2014, 11:48 am)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]I used St Mary's car park Tuesday morning gone. Managed to get out onto St Mary's road but had to wait a very long time at traffic lights going towards the docks. Seems it takes 3 times longer at the lights to change to green than before.

Oh dear, hopefully once its fully done they will be changed back to what they were before.

Seems like traffic from the docks turning right and across the bridge turning left towards the docks has long earn on green. Could be to help with buses maybe? Or it could be in my head lol

As I was dying with Boredom on the 8 coming home this evening, I decided to see how long it would take to go from the top of Bank to the Roundabout on Chester Road in Rush Hour Traffic, so I set up the Stop Clock on My Phone and off it went for a Grand Total of.................... 11 Minutes (Top to Bottom), Safe to say I was rather shocked as I was expecting it to be around 6/7 Minutes at the most.

Furthermore I took a close look at the Road Layout, if you were to take out the Traffic Lights at the top of Bank along with Crossing half way down, and perhaps replace them with Zebra Crossing you'd then be able with great ease make a Dual Carriage Way down to the Roundabout in Both Directions, On top of that I looked where Residents Parked there Cars and the Vast Majority have more than one Car, so they Park on the Extended Pavement, but what if on either side of the Road that Pavement wasn't there, I think you could yet have another Lane on each side of the Road, Resulting in 6 Lanes in Total.

A thought I had whilst on the 8 was why not make a Residential Car Park at the Top of the Bank on the Green next to the Bus Stop, and again at the Bottom opposite the Petrol Garage, this would allow for the Extra Lane to come into play thus widening the Road.

Just an opinion from my Observations, Think it's time the Council started paying Attention to how Serious this issue on Chester Road actually is, rather than ignoring it. 

(14 Oct 2014, 7:45 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]As I was dying with Boredom on the 8 coming home this evening, I decided to see how long it would take to go from the top of Bank to the Roundabout on Chester Road in Rush Hour Traffic, so I set up the Stop Clock on My Phone and off it went for a Grand Total of.................... 11 Minutes (Top to Bottom), Safe to say I was rather shocked as I was expecting it to be around 6/7 Minutes at the most.

Furthermore I took a close look at the Road Layout, if you were to take out the Traffic Lights at the top of Bank along with Crossing half way down, and perhaps replace them with Zebra Crossing you'd then be able with great ease make a Dual Carriage Way down to the Roundabout in Both Directions, On top of that I looked where Residents Parked there Cars and the Vast Majority have more than one Car, so they Park on the Extended Pavement, but what if on either side of the Road that Pavement wasn't there, I think you could yet have another Lane on each side of the Road, Resulting in 6 Lanes in Total.

A thought I had whilst on the 8 was why not make a Residential Car Park at the Top of the Bank on the Green next to the Bus Stop, and again at the Bottom opposite the Petrol Garage, this would allow for the Extra Lane to come into play thus widening the Road.

Just an opinion from my Observations, Think it's time the Council started paying Attention to how Serious this issue on Chester Road actually is, rather than ignoring it.

I remember the last time I got the bus to Sunderland (must have been 4-5 months ago now!) I was on a 78. While I don't have such good geographical skills of Sunderland like I do Chester, I have to admit, I must have been on Chester Road about 8-10 minutes, and we stopped quite a few times due to traffic.

Try it on a Friday....................

(14 Oct 2014, 7:49 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Try it on a Friday....................

Surely your not saying it is worse than a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

(14 Oct 2014, 8:24 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Surely your not saying it is worse than a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Sure is...

(14 Oct 2014, 8:25 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Sure is...

In what way though, is just more Traffic or does it affect all 4 Directions at the Roundabout.

(14 Oct 2014, 8:32 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]In what way though, is just more Traffic or does it affect all 4 Directions at the Roundabout.

As I lived at the top of the bank, it didn't affect me as much, but that did mean that I didn't get to see what was at the bottom of the bank.

It tended to be the Fridays where the tailback extended beyond the entrance to the cemetery closest to The Wavendon. Off memory, I'm sure it was a Friday when a tailback at about 16:30 extended all the way down to the previous bus stop (not far after the church/hospital).

I know Fridays tended to be the day when Stagecoach's service 8 was late too - so perhaps was due to an increased flow of traffic on Holborn Bank near the Round Robin, which would in turn affect the traffic flow on Chester Road, as the traffic from Holborn would join at the roundabout.

Its busy Monday-Friday, todays traffic tailed back to the entrance of the cemetery... was on the 16 for 15 minutes because of it

(14 Oct 2014, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]As I lived at the top of the bank, it didn't affect me as much, but that did mean that I didn't get to see what was at the bottom of the bank.

It tended to be the Fridays where the tailback extended beyond the entrance to the cemetery closest to The Wavendon. Off memory, I'm sure it was a Friday when a tailback at about 16:30 extended all the way down to the previous bus stop (not far after the church/hospital).

I know Fridays tended to be the day when Stagecoach's service 8 was late too - so perhaps was due to an increased flow of traffic on Holborn Bank near the Round Robin.

I would think increased Traffic would be the Answer then unless there was Roadworks resulting in Diversions which caused an Increase in Traffic, In regards to timing it was around 16:20 when I got stuck there on 8 this evening and it felt like forever compared to other times when I been on the 2A/2C or the 8 going back home, it must be quite frustrating for Home Owners on the Bank as well, I think I have been stuck once past the Top Gates to the Cemetery, but never back as far as the Bus Stop further down the Road.

(14 Oct 2014, 8:45 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]I would think increased Traffic would be the Answer then unless there was Roadworks resulting in Diversions which caused an Increase in Traffic, In regards to timing it was around 16:20 when I got stuck there on 8 this evening and it felt like forever compared to other times when I been on the 2A/2C or the 8 going back home, it must be quite frustrating for Home Owners on the Bank as well, I think I have been stuck once past the Top Gates to the Cemetery, but never back as far as the Bus Stop further down the Road.

If I remember rightly, the 8 is due at The Wavey at 16:01 - so to be stuck there at 16:20 is pretty bad!

It's horrendous for bus users in the area. Those services which aren't regulated run 15-20 minutes late, and it means that you really cannot rely on the bus service between 15:30 and 17:00 until things start to recover... I used to walk down for the 8 or 20 on Hylton Road because they were delayed less than the Chester Road services.

Some drivers used to be pretty cool and let you off before the bus stop, but others were adamant they couldn't due to Health & Safety. Plenty didn't bother pulling into the stop once they got to it though - in case they lost their 'spot' - the little island at the traffic lights was often utilised as a bus stop instead.

The delays to the Economics are ghastly too, but they're no where near as bad as the Chester Road services come 4 o'clock.

(14 Oct 2014, 8:52 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]If I remember rightly, the 8 is due at The Wavey at 16:01 - so to be stuck there at 16:20 is pretty bad!

It's horrendous for bus users in the area. Those services which aren't regulated run 15-20 minutes late, and it means that you really cannot rely on the bus service between 15:30 and 17:00 until things start to recover... I used to walk down for the 8 or 20 on Hylton Road because they were delayed less than the Chester Road services.

Some drivers used to be pretty cool and let you off before the bus stop, but others were adamant they couldn't due to Health & Safety. Plenty didn't bother pulling into the stop once they got to it though - in case they lost their 'spot' - the little island at the traffic lights was often utilised as a bus stop instead.

The delays to the Economics are ghastly too, but they're no where near as bad as the Chester Road services come 4 o'clock.

Yeah that's correct Dan, should of departed PL at 15:53, but was around 16:10 when it departed as there was fault with 5338, not sure whether it was the Handbrake or Braking itself or whether there was an issue with the Steering, whatever it was it ended up with an Engineer at wheel having a look at it in PL, We then did a Lap of PL before Departing, therefore by the time we got to "The Wavey" it was 16:20, and was 16:30 by the time we got to the Bottom, so we would of been running sround 25-30 Minutes Late I think, wouldn't surprise me if it was Regulated at CLS, that's why it looks a lot worse than it should, I should have mentioned it earlier but I forgot...My Bad.

But getting back on the Topic of Chester Road it really does need sorting with immediate affect as there is no way this whole Traffic business can continue on much longer, particularly when it affects Bus Services which need to keep to Timetable, And what actually up with the Economics, other Roadworks on/near Wearmouth Bridge how are those Services running so Late yet the 35's which do a Similar Route have zero Problems.