North East Buses

(05 Sep 2015, 4:21 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Good news:
A new bus station for Hexham has been given the green light.
Northumberland County Council has been granted planning permission for a site at Loosing Hill.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-34162912

Finally, when I was there on the 26th August everything queued down the street

Arriva haven't bothered replacing any timetables in Ashington bus station since the changes.

• Stand F - still shows '20 Amble'
  
• Stand G - still shows '57 North Seaton'
  
• All stands - still have out of date timetables. eg. Timetable for 20 to Amble showing as 0903, and new X20 to Alnwick is scheduled for 0915.
  

Funny how they can splash out on 'Here to Help' stickers for the portacabin and replacing all the stickers in the main stand area.

(11 Sep 2015, 6:39 pm)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]Arriva haven't bothered replacing any timetables in Ashington bus station since the changes.

• Stand F - still shows '20 Amble'
  
• Stand G - still shows '57 North Seaton'
  
• All stands - still have out of date timetables. eg. Timetable for 20 to Amble showing as 0903, and new X20 to Alnwick is scheduled for 0915.
  

Funny how they can splash out on 'Here to Help' stickers for the portacabin and replacing all the stickers in the main stand area.

Sure it's down to NCC to update timetables?

(11 Sep 2015, 8:13 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Sure it's down to NCC to update timetables?

NCC print all the timetables (bar X21/X22) and send them to Arriva. Arriva then put them in the stands. 

It's just annoying that they can swap stands for the X21/X22 around but not replace signage for services that have been changed (X20 and 57).

Even forgot to mention the 35a... Started October 2013 and still not mentioned on the stands.

I have a bit of spare time so I've made a map of stands in Ashington, Blyth, Newcastle and Morpeth bus stations. I'll update it every time there are changes, future changes are marked with a red triangle, click on it to view the changes. Stands are marked with a turquoise pointer, again, click them to view details of services from that stand.

Ashington
Blyth
Morpeth
Newcastle Haymarket and Eldon Square

More bus stations are to come.

A few things regarding bus stations...

Went to Sunderland Park Lane the other day, had to use the bogs here (TMI I know) and it looks like at least some of the lights have been changed to normal bulbs although some of them still have the blue bulbs so it at least looks a bit less dark, still grotty as owt though.

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Went to Hexham yesterday and the bus station is so unbelievably tight to navigate round with some of the buses having to reverse in the bus station to get in/out and onto the stands. Think a new Bus Station is a good idea but the problem is it would have to be further from the shops than it is now which I can't imagine some people will be too happy about.

(24 Sep 2015, 6:00 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Went to Hexham yesterday and the bus station is so unbelievably tight to navigate round with some of the buses having to reverse in the bus station to get in/out and onto the stands. Think a new Bus Station is a good idea but the problem is it would have to be further from the shops than it is now which I can't imagine some people will be too happy about.

When I went last year, I was scared of being run over or a bus knocking down the shelter where the timetables are. It's rather tight to walk through the place with bus drivers hanging about having fags and alighting passengers etc. 

Also witnessed a couple of near misses with walls etc......

(24 Sep 2015, 6:00 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Went to Hexham yesterday and the bus station is so unbelievably tight to navigate round with some of the buses having to reverse in the bus station to get in/out and onto the stands. Think a new Bus Station is a good idea but the problem is it would have to be further from the shops than it is now which I can't imagine some people will be too happy about.

The proposed new bus station is immensely better than the current one, and it's only a two minute walk down the road from the current bus station.

(24 Sep 2015, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The proposed new bus station is immensely better than the current one, and it's only a two minute walk down the road from the current bus station.

Anyone got a link or anything about the new bus station, as all I've found is articles on the Chronicle's website saying how people are against the move.

Really, only two minutes? The way some are going on you'd be mistaken for thinking it's going to be moved two miles away. I don't see the problem so much especially as I think bus stops would be put in place on the main road (Priestpopple) where the current bus station is although I'm unsure if all services would still stop there.

(24 Sep 2015, 6:21 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Anyone got a link or anything about the new bus station, as all I've found is articles on the Chronicle's website saying how people are against the move.

Really, only two minutes? The way some are going on you'd be mistaken for thinking it's going to be moved two miles away. I don't see the problem so much especially as I think bus stops would be put in place on the main road (Priestpopple) where the current bus station is although I'm unsure if all services would still stop there.

Yes - see this document that I shared in July.

See map below of where the old and new bus stations are:
[attachment=7197]

(24 Sep 2015, 6:05 pm)GX03 SVC wrote [ -> ]When I went last year, I was scared of being run over or a bus knocking down the shelter where the timetables are. It's rather tight to walk through the place with bus drivers hanging about having fags and alighting passengers etc. 

Also witnessed a couple of near misses with walls etc......

I was there in August and 4966 hit a TEN bus in the layover area
Luckily only minor damage

(24 Sep 2015, 6:21 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]I think bus stops would be put in place on the main road (Priestpopple) where the current bus station is although I'm unsure if all services would still stop there.

There are relatively few main services that travel west of Hexham (Arriva/Stagecoach 685/85 is the only through service from east of Hexham).
The remainder are the 'minor' services (682, 683, 688) that serve Allendale/Allenheads, Newbrough and Hexham Priestlands/Beaumont Park/Highford.
The TEN and X84/X85 terminate at Hexham bus station (and it would be inconvenient to say the least to have these serve the old bus station area).

One of the proposals was to replace the existing bus station with stops on Priestpopple, but the problem was where to turn around the buses that needed to travel to Newcastle. It was soon realised that this was a non-starter.

It is regrettable that the opportunity to acquire the (what was George and Jobling garage) site (the current roofless shell that burned-down some 40-50 years ago) was not taken.
Expanding the current bus station eastwards would have solved all the problems of the current site.

(I have been a user of Hexham bus station since 1955.)

(24 Sep 2015, 9:56 pm)G-CPTN wrote [ -> ]Expanding the current bus station eastwards would have solved all the problems of the current site.

Sorry, but I don't think it would.

1. there are height differences between the existing bus station and the site to the east. Either the bus station would have to be lowered, or the adjacent site filled in (which is probably more practical!).

2. The current bus station is on a hill. There has been one instance of a bus 'running away' across Preistpopple.

3. Buses cannot leave westbound without swinging out across both lanes of Preistpopple - turning eastbound is only possible if westbound traffic leaves considerable space for buses to swing.

4. There are poor sight lines when approaching the bus station - buses from the east begin their approach before they can see whether or not there's any delivery vans or buses blocking the arrival stand area.

So no, simply spreading eastwards wouldn't have solved all the problems, in my opinion.

The new bus station will have:
- Five arrival/departure bays and a layover area.
- The departure bays will be 'drive on - drive off' - ie., no more reversing uphill moves.
- A refreshment kiosk, indoor waiting room with seats, and toilets
- An overall 'canopy' to keep the rain off when you're boarding and alighting
- Clear pedestrian routes into the town and towards the hospital
- Clear line of sight for bus drivers for both entering and leaving the bus station
- Become a 'gateway' building for the town

and that's just the features I can remember off the top of my head!


This will be a real benefit for bus pasengers!

Over the past few days I have been watching videos on Youtube of South Shields over the past 20 years. I watched a video from early 1997, which appeared to show South Shields bus station (in its current form) under construction. Does anyone have an idea as to when South Shields bus "station" officially opened in its current form?

(03 Oct 2015, 1:11 am)Simmy wrote [ -> ]Over the past few days I have been watching videos on Youtube of South Shields over the past 20 years. I watched a video from early 1997, which appeared to show South Shields bus station (in its current form) under construction. Does anyone have an idea as to when South Shields bus "station" officially opened in its current form?

It has had the same/similar design/layout for as long as I can remember - possibly from around the time the Metro was extended to Shields.

I think the building work you saw, would have been when the current shelters were installed. Pretty sure there was work on the bays and a re-jig of them too.

Cheers! There did seem to be a lot of work around the installation of shelters.

(03 Oct 2015, 9:56 am)Simmy wrote [ -> ]Cheers! There did seem to be a lot of work around the installation of shelters.

Thinking back, I think the old stands were wider.
If I am remembering correctly, there was space to walk (as there is now), but each stand was separated by a barrier, not too different to the Metrocentre (the X66 stand jumps out as being similar).

I am not sure there would be space in the current set up, for a set up like there was then.
It could be the road was widened, to take into account the bays - with the stand losing space as a result and the works appearing like they did on the youtube clip.

Bus stand signs at Ashington have been updated. A/B/C/D/F/G have received new vinyls.
A/B have been updated for the second time this year, this time they include via points. 434 has now been mentioned; C for Linton and D for Bedlington Station.

Do you reckon you could merge Haymarket & Eldon Square Bus Station together without having to knock down the Multi-Story Car Park, and also have room for National Express/Megabus along with other Coach Services to operate out of the one Bus Station.

(10 Dec 2015, 6:04 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Do you reckon you could merge Haymarket & Eldon Square Bus Station together without having to knock down the Multi-Story Car Park, and also have room for National Express/Megabus along with other Coach Services to operate out of the one Bus Station.

I think there has to be a way of making them both more efficient than they currently are, it takes far too long to get into or out of Haymarket, and too long to get into Eldon Square.

Merging them, I guess if designed appropriately, could be possible. Not a clue how though!

(10 Dec 2015, 6:04 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Do you reckon you could merge Haymarket & Eldon Square Bus Station together without having to knock down the Multi-Story Car Park, and also have room for National Express/Megabus along with other Coach Services to operate out of the one Bus Station.

Name suggestion " Newcastle Central Gateway "

They already have a shared stand sequence. But no, they will never be merged as there is no physical link between the two. It also wouldn't be just a case of demolishing the spiral car park either. The John Lewis and Fenwick freight docks are accessed via the entrance to Eldon Square bus station, as are the collect by car stations for those two along with M&S. And there are major plans to transform the public highway along Percy Street which should make a massive difference to traffic levels.

No reason why the buses couldn't be fitted with sensors to activate the traffic lights thus reducing the delays getting in and out.

(10 Dec 2015, 7:51 pm)markydh wrote [ -> ]They already have a shared stand sequence. But no, they will never be merged as there is no physical link between the two. It also wouldn't be just a case of demolishing the spiral car park either. The John Lewis and Fenwick freight docks are accessed via the entrance to Eldon Square bus station, as are the collect by car stations for those two along with M&S. And there are major plans to transform the public highway along Percy Street which should make a massive difference to traffic levels.

I have started wondering how long that has left.
I can't remember the last time any major work was done on it.

(10 Dec 2015, 8:29 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I have started wondering how long that has left.
I can't remember the last time any major work was done on it.

The cost would also be prohibitive, they would have to compensate the owners of the car park. Also a good part of the freehold title to the Haymarket part of Newcastle is still ultimately owned by the Duke of Northumberland and his family. No doubt they would need compensating as well. It is also unlikely Marks & Spencer etc would wish to loose their loading facilities.

Charles

It had work done on it when Eldon Square Bus Station was being built as they needed to move the entrance and exit to where it currently is

I noticed today at Sunderland Interchange bus stands for the Arriva 22/23 etc.. and GNE service 60/61, that there changed the waiting area at the stands, so you have to go round the middle area at the stand and cant go straight along then onto the bus.

(15 Dec 2015, 4:33 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]I noticed today at Sunderland Interchange bus stands for the Arriva 22/23 etc.. and GNE service 60/61, that there changed the waiting area at the stands, so you have to go round the middle area at the stand and cant go straight along then onto the bus.

I stuck a photo in another thread, the other day. It's a right mess.

I know why its been done, though. No one was using the bays and everyone was queuing through what was presumably meant to be the exit, making the area in the middle rather crowded. If you stood where you were meant to stand and wait, where the "seats" (neither use nor ornament) are, you'd lose your place in the queue.

(14 Dec 2015, 7:54 pm)markydh wrote [ -> ]It had work done on it when Eldon Square Bus Station was being built as they needed to move the entrance and exit to where it currently is

Sorry, should have been clearer.
Meant structural work - rather than the moving of the entrance/exit.
Unless it was done at the same time.

(15 Dec 2015, 4:33 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]I noticed today at Sunderland Interchange bus stands for the Arriva 22/23 etc.. and GNE service 60/61, that there changed the waiting area at the stands, so you have to go round the middle area at the stand and cant go straight along then onto the bus.

I noticed that when I was there on the 31/10. It just is a mess to be honest.