(17 Sep 2015, 9:58 pm)G-CPTN West of Hexham (currently served by ANE shared with SNE) has long been a bone of contention.
Services frequently were late or failed completely.
The residents of Haydon Bridge are poorly served by trains, being two-hourly unless they travel first to Haltwhistle then back through Haydon Bridge, so they rely on the bus for a regular hourly service.
Delays from Carlisle along the A69 are understandable given the nature of the road not being dual carriageway (although recent changes to speed limits for trucks from 40mph to 60mph have eased the situation), and the route meanders from the A69 to pass through settlements that are by-passed, adding delays when rejoining the main A69 due to nose-to-tail traffic.
Arriva (and Stagecoach) have updated their vehicle stock so breakdowns have reduced, though having to service replacements from Carlisle or Jesmond (the Hexham depot is now run by GNE) means lengthy delays whenever a breakdown occurs 'midway'.
GNE revamped their Tynedale Express to alternate X84 and X85 such that X85 journey times are faster to and from Hexham than ANE/SNE's 685/85 services as well as being in direct competition on the Newcastle/Hexham section.
Extending the X85 westwards towards Carlisle would offer a 'better' model (with a Hexham base for replacements if necessary).
If GNE were to compete they would, at least initially offer Haydon Bridge passengers two buses per hour.
Of course ANE/SNE might abandon the through route . . .
County Councillors have long lobbied for bus (and train) routes to include Gilsland on a regular basis, something that the 185 goes somewhat towards solving. That GNE have taken over 185 from Telfords might indicate their intentions.
Extending the routes westward from Hexham's soon to be new bus station would eliminate criticism that buses won't serve the centre of Hexham, so there is much to be gained if GNE are so minded.
I can't see Gilsland - Low Row being reinstated, there's just no need for it. Hardly anyone uses the bus (you'll maybe get one or two who rely on it) therefore there needs to be some service but having the whole lot of services running through isn't going to be great - especially when it takes approx. 15 mins off the full route duration.
I put something into the Arriva Service Suggestions thread on how the 85/685 should look if I could change it. Basically an express route (truly express - stopping at Corbridge, Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Haltwhistle, Brampton and Carlisle Airport [if necessary]) every 2 hours or so. Then alternating services which serve various places en-route.
The current 685 route in Carlisle (along Warwick Road) is unsuitable due to the congestion it has - especially around peak times. The A689 (past the Airport) doesn't normally get hit by congestion and thus can form a faster route into Carlisle.
It was great when the 685 operated from Hexham (also Carlisle) depots, as you say because it's midway incase there are any failures.
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