These new services would provide new, frequent and faster links throughout Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

- SERVICE X51 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 60 MINUTES) SERVING: BERWICK STATION - BERWICK GOLDEN SQUARE - SCREMERSTON MEMORIAL - HAGGERSTON CASTLE - HOLY ISLAND END RD - BELFORD MARKET CROSS - WARENFORD - ALNWICK BUS STATION - ALNMOUTH STATION - ALNMOUTH ARGYLE STREET - WARKWORTH -AMBLE FOURWAYS - BROOMHILL - RED ROW -WIDDRINGTON STATION -ULGHAM - LONGHIRST - PEGSWOOD HEALTH CENTRE - PEGSWOOD FRONT STREET - MORPETH BUS STATION THEN NON STOP TO ELDON SQUARE VIA THE A1, PONTELAND ROAD, CENTRAL MOTORWAY, JOHN DOBSON STREET AND BLACKETT STREET = PVR OF 6

- SERVICE X51 (EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 60 MINUTES) SERVING: ALNWICK BUS STATION - ALNMOUTH STATION - ALNMOUTH ARGYLE STREET - WARKWORTH -AMBLE FOURWAYS - BROOMHILL - RED ROW -WIDDRINGTON STATION -ULGHAM - LONGHIRST - PEGSWOOD HEALTH CENTRE - PEGSWOOD FRONT STREET - MORPETH BUS STATION THEN NON STOP TO REGENT CENTRE -GOSFORTH HIGH STREET - BARRAS BRIDGE - ELDON SQUARE = PVR OF 4

- SERVICE X52 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 60 MINUTES) SERVING: ALNWICK BUS STATION - ALNMOUTH ARGYLE STREET - WARKWORTH -AMBLE FOURWAYS - BROOMHILL - RED ROW -WIDDRINGTON STATION -WIDDRINGTON MILE ROAD - WANSBECK HOSPITAL - ASHINGTON BUS STATION THEN NON STOP TO MORPETH BUS STATION THAN NON STOP TO ELDON SQUARE VIA THE A1, PONTELAND ROAD, CENTRAL MOTORWAY, JOHN DOBSON STREET AND BLACKETT STREET = PVR OF 4

- SERVICE X53 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 20 MINUTES / EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 60 MINUTES) SERVING: MORPETH BUS STATION - CLIFTON THEN NON STOP TO B1318 - REGENT CENTRE -GOSFORTH HIGH STREET - BARRAS BRIDGE - ELDON SQUARE BUS STATION = PVR OF 4

- SERVICE 19 WILL NO LONGER EXTEND BEYOND NORTHUMBERLAND PARK. BUSES WILL OPERATE EVERY 30 MINUTES BETWEEN NORTH SHIELDS AND NORTHUMBERLAND PARK ALL DAY.

- SERVICE 9 WILL CONTINUE AS OF NOW TO OPERATE EVERY 30 MINUTES ALL DAY BETWEEN NORTH SHIELDS AND SUNDERLAND. EVENING JOURNEYS WILL BE COORDINATED WITH SERVICE 19 IN PERCY MAIN TO PROVIDE LINKS BETWEEN COBALT AND SILVERLINK WITH SOUTH TYNESIDE AND SUNDERLAND.

- SERVICE 9A (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES TO NORTHUMBERLAND PARK AND EVERY 60 MINUTES TO ASHINGTON) SERVING THE CURRENT 9 ROUTE TO PERCY MAIN THEN THE CURRENT 19 ROUTE TO NORTHUMBERLAND PARK AND ASHINGTON. 9A AND 19 BUSES WILL PROVIDE A 15 MINUTES FREQUENCY MONDAY TO SATURDAY DAYTIME BETWEEN PERCY MAIN AND NORTHUMBERLAND PARK

(16 Aug 2013, 10:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Not a bad thought having it running by Teams and Dunston, I haven't had time to send it to GNE, but i'll that in when I get a chance

Is it worth sending these suggestions into GNE . Do they take notice especially as the quaylink routes are contracted via the NewcastleGateshead initiative. Are you not better off sending your thoughts to the people who pay for the services to be operated?

(16 Aug 2013, 10:55 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Not a bad thought having it running by Teams and Dunston, I haven't had time to send it to GNE, but i'll that in when I get a chance

It's a smashing idea to have it operating as local service between the Teams, Dunston and Newcastle. One of the things I miss about services from yesteryear was when the timetable clearly stated 'Passengers are not carried locally between x and x'; or 'This service picks up passengers at points between x and x while observing all stops beyond that point' (or words to that effect). In the morning, if I have to travel by bus from Rowlands Gill and Newcastle, I am annoyed when the bus, usually running late, stops to pick up passengers along in Dunston and the Teams. The bus is usually quite full and passengers are crammed in like Sardines further adding to the lateness of a service. A local, peak-time service between Newcastle and the Metrocentre would alleviate this problem and allow buses coming from Stanley, Consett, Prudhoe and Hexham to make up lost time (and, also, keep me from going insane!).

I seen comment on the GNE Page Yesterday about possible combination of Metrolink and Washington Street Shuttle Services, so I have come up with various combinations, feel free to add your own or edit my suggestions to find the best combinations

Current Form

M1 - Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth

M2 - Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Donwell – Heworth

M2A - Birtley - Portobello - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Sulgrave – Heworth

M3 - Birtley - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton - Ayton - Lambton - Washington Galleries - Biddick - Barmston - Concord - Sulgrave - Heworth

W5 Brady Square - Biddick - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell – Concord

W6 Barmston Court - Washington Village - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Concord

71 - Chester-le-Street - Great Lumley - Fence Houses - Houghton-le-Spring
----------------------------------------------------------------------
New Form

Suggestion 1 for a Combination of the M1/M2/M3

M1 - Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth

M2 - Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row – Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Ayton – Lambton – Washington Galleries - Concord – Donwell - Usworth - Heworth

M3 - Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row – Fatfield – Harraton – Rickleton – Ayton – Lambton – Washington Galleries - Concord – Sulgrave - Heworth

Suggestion 2

M1 - Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth

M2 - Houghton le Spring – Fence Houses – Great Lumley – Chester le Street – Picktree Village – Rickleton – Harraton - Ayton – Lambton – Washington Galleries - Concord – Donwell - Usworth - Heworth

M3 - Houghton le Spring – Fence Houses – Great Lumley – Chester le Street – Picktree Village – Rickleton – Harraton - Ayton – Lambton – Washington Galleries - Concord - Sulgrave - Heworth


Suggestion 3

M1 - Houghton-le-Spring - Fence Houses - Shiney Row - Fatfield - Glebe - Washington Galleries - Concord - Usworth - Heworth

M2 - Houghton le Spring – Fence Houses – Great Lumley – Chester le Street – Birtley - Portobello – Ayton – Lambton – Washington Galleries - Concord – Donwell - Usworth – Heworth

M3 - Houghton le Spring – Fence Houses – Great Lumley – Chester le Street – Birtley – Barley Mow - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton – Ayton – Lambton – Washington Galleries - Concord - Sulgrave - Heworth
----------------------------------------------------------------------
New Form

Suggestion 1 for Combination on M2/M3/W5/W6

W5/W6 - Chester le Street - Birtley - Barley Mow - Rickleton - Harraton – Fatfield – Biddick - Washington Galleries – Washington Village - Brady Square – Barmston Court - Barmston - Concord – B&Q – Blackfell – Oxclose – Washington Galleries – Lambton – Ayton – Portebello – Birtley – Chester le Street

Suggestion 2

W5/W6 - Birtley – Barley Mow – Ayton – Lambton – Washington Galleries – Oxclose – Blackfell – B&Q – Concord – Peel Retail Park – Waterview Park – Teal Farm – Biddick – Glebe – Washington Village – Brady Square – Barmston Court - Barmston

- Note does a loop Barmston Clockwise/Anti Clockwise

(17 Aug 2013, 12:01 pm)AdamY wrote It's a smashing idea to have it operating as local service between the Teams, Dunston and Newcastle. One of the things I miss about services from yesteryear was when the timetable clearly stated 'Passengers are not carried locally between x and x'; or 'This service picks up passengers at points between x and x while observing all stops beyond that point' (or words to that effect). In the morning, if I have to travel by bus from Rowlands Gill and Newcastle, I am annoyed when the bus, usually running late, stops to pick up passengers along in Dunston and the Teams. The bus is usually quite full and passengers are crammed in like Sardines further adding to the lateness of a service. A local, peak-time service between Newcastle and the Metrocentre would alleviate this problem and allow buses coming from Stanley, Consett, Prudhoe and Hexham to make up lost time (and, also, keep me from going insane!).

It wouldn't go into Newcastle City Centre Adam, Just along the Keyside, so you would have catch the Q1/Q2 or catch something else at Gateshead.

(17 Aug 2013, 3:18 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote It wouldn't go into Newcastle City Centre Adam, Just along the Keyside, so you would have catch the Q1/Q2 or catch something else at Gateshead.

It's alright, they can get off on the Quayside and walk up Dean Street or whatever.

If rumor is true that the 309 and 310 are due to receive Volvo B9TL Gemini 2's to the same specification as the TEN with Wi-Fi, Power Ports and high back seating , why don't GNE consider something like this.

SERVICE 305 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 20 MINUTES / EVENINGS EVERY 60 MINUTES AND SUNDAY DAYTIME EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: HADRIAN PARK - THEN THE CURRENT 310 ROUTE TO NEWCASTLE

SERVICE 309 (MONDAY - SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 10 MINUTES / EVENINGS AND SUNDAYS EVERY 30 MINUTES) SERVING: THE CURRENT AND WHOLE 309 ROUTE BETWEEN BLYTH AND NEWCASTLE

SERVICE 310 WILL REMAIN ON THE SAME ROUTE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE EVENINGS. BUSES WILL OPERATE EVERY 20 MINUTES MONDAY TO SATURDAY DAYTIME. SUNDAY DAYTIME BUSES WILL OPERATE EVERY 30 MINUTES. EVENING BUSES WILL OPERATE EVERY 60 MINUTES AND WILL ALSO INCLUDE HADRIAN PARK.

SERVICE 58 (MONDAY TO SATURDAY DAYTIME EVERY 10 MINUTES TO NEWCASTLE AND EVERY 30 MINUTES TO WHITLEY BAY / EVENINGS EVERY 20 MINUTES TO NEWCASTLE AND EVERY 60 MINUTES TO WHITLEY BAY / SUNDAY DAYTIME EVERY 15 MINUTES TO NEWCASTLE AND EVERY 60 MINUTES TO WHITLEY BAY) SERVING: THE CURRENT 58 ROUTE BETWEEN HEWORTH AND PILGRIM STREET THEN BUSES CONTINUING TO WHITLEY BAY WILL CALL AT BLACKETT STREET AND ST MARY'S PLACE. BUSES WILL THEN OPERATE LIMITED STOP TO BILLY MILL CALLING AT WILLINGTON SQUARE AND NORHAM ROAD. BUSES WILL THEN OPERATE TO WHITLEY BAY TOWN CENTRE VIA LYNN RD - RAKE LANE - PRESTON ROAD NORTH - MARDEN HARTINGTON ROAD AND BROADWAY.

These changes will mean that Service 309 will offer a more frequent service Monday to Saturday Daytime between Blyth to Rake Lane and Station Road to Newcastle than what Arriva's Service 308 will offer. If the Cobalt Clipper prices remain the same and also includes service 58 between Whitley Bay and Newcastle, then Service 309 will provide better value for money for passengers with more facilities on board too. Service 58 will still retain a link between North Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead including quicker journey times from the Marden Estate to Newcastle than Arriva's Service 306. Service 309 should be operated by Volvo B9TL Gemini 2 Double Deckers to the same specification as TEN. Service 309 would also remain under the Cobalt Clipper brand. Service 17 would be rebranded to the Northern brand. Service 305 and 310 would now operate under the Centurion brand. Services would be operated by Mercedes Benz Citaros.

current form

X66 metrocentre-gateshead

new form

X63 metrocentre-newcastle-wallsend-north shields-whitley bay
X64 metrocente-blaydon-winlaton-hexham
X65 metrocentre-sunderland
X66 metrocentre-gateshead
X67 metrocentre-newcastle
X68 metrocentre-newcastle-gateshead
X69 metrocentre-jarrow-south shields

(20 Aug 2013, 5:24 pm)danpick wrote current form

X66 metrocentre-gateshead

new form

X63 metrocentre-newcastle-wallsend-north shields-whitley bay
X64 metrocente-blaydon-winlaton-hexham
X65 metrocentre-sunderland
X66 metrocentre-gateshead
X67 metrocentre-newcastle
X68 metrocentre-newcastle-gateshead
X69 metrocentre-jarrow-south shields

Can't see any of those working (Sunderland not long dropped) and there's no way GNE would take on the 100, Stagecoach have a feeder network into that market from across Newcastle and GNE already have the 10 which is a daytime Metrocentre express from Newcastle.

I think people overestimate the need for links to Metrocentre, the vast majority of visitors are by car and being cynical here, why provide more direct services when they can make you buy a Buzzfare for your 2 buses

Gateshead - Metrocentre - Newburn - Throckley - Westerhope - Woolsington - Airport - Ponteland

Gateshead - Metrocentre - Heddon - Horsley - Corbridge - Hexham

Occasionally, direct routes to Metrocentre materialise in the run up to Christmas offering links from both North and South Tyneside and, sometimes, Sunderland and South East Northumberland. However, demand has never been such to convince GNE to run these services after Christmas Week otherwise they would operational all-year round.

As Hexham seems to be a main point of GNE network expansion at the moment, I do think it would be nice to have some sort of service between there and a few other places - similar to how Newcastle acts as a major hub.
Of course I don't expect Hexham to become the new Newcastle, but it certainly would be great if they continued to try and get Arriva out of the area, and then move onto another area after that as a focal point of expansion.

Don't know how long the journey times would be, but a Middlesbrough to Hexham and Sunderland to Hexham service may be good.
I may be wrong, but I think the Sunderland to Hexham service could potentially be faster than the Northern Rail service if it was an express.

EDIT:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=sunderland&daddr=hexham&hl=en&ll=54.944499,-1.648636&spn=0.21928,0.676346&sll=54.939216,-1.599162&sspn=0.438621,1.352692&geocode=FfXPRQMdh-Lq_ymfc_CKLWF-SDHDA38BfW6ddA%3BFfnQRgMdcMXf_ykVmDENYpB9SDEEwA0heCs6qA&mra=ls&t=m&z=11

Look at some of the places around the direct route between Sunderland and Hexham. If the service was to stop at some of those, I can see it taking approx 1hr 15m? 3.5hr round trip isn't bad.
Hourly service, 15 mins layover at each end. PVR of 4.

(20 Aug 2013, 5:29 pm)gtomlinson wrote Can't see any of those working (Sunderland not long dropped) and there's no way GNE would take on the 100, Stagecoach have a feeder network into that market from across Newcastle and GNE already have the 10 which is a daytime Metrocentre express from Newcastle.

I think people overestimate the need for links to Metrocentre, the vast majority of visitors are by car and being cynical here, why provide more direct services when they can make you buy a Buzzfare for your 2 buses

was just bored so posted it

Wouldn't mind a direct link from Metrocentre to Low Fell being restored. I know GNE will argue that it's pretty easy to get the 21/24 to Gateshead and then X66 (and makes more money for them! ), but the direct link existed for years on the 183 and then the 77, and I know some people who made a point of waiting for that bus rather than do the change at Gateshead, even though it was once hourly.

Hexham definately seems their focus at the mo. There is very little competition in the town or outlying villages, so definately one for them to exploit.

I do think they're missing a trick by having two express services to Newcastle and missing the Metrocentre out.
Similarly, with the western and northern suburbs of Newcastle. Stagecoach have a limited offering, but there could be scope to develop those areas beyond what Stagecoach offer.

The Village/Estate to Town/City centre services are dying off, with 'through' services complementing the core routes seemingly - pretty much what Stagecoach/Busways have offered since 86.
If you think of GNE - Kibblesworth doesn't have a dedicated bus now to Newcastle now. Neither do Barley Mow or Allerdene.
The villages in Washington have services which serve them, rather than terminate in them.
Similarly, the estates in South Tyneside have routes that go through them or bypass the edges.

Edit - Completely forgot about the poor little village (sorry eezypeazy) of Fencehouses too.
For years the 178 served the streets, estates and houses that the taxpayer funded TB20 works its way through these days, before plodding on to Houghton

(20 Aug 2013, 6:06 pm)big mac wrote Wouldn't mind a direct link from Metrocentre to Low Fell being restored. I know GNE will argue that it's pretty easy to get the 21/24 to Gateshead and then X66 (and makes more money for them! ), but the direct link existed for years on the 183 and then the 77, and I know some people who made a point of waiting for that bus rather than do the change at Gateshead, even though it was once hourly.

I/we were the same when I lived in Birtley or with friends when I moved from the place.
We would walk half a mile to get a 183, rather than quarter of a mile to get a 26 and change at Gateshead.
Mind I'm sure part of it was so we could sit upstairs at the front as it went down Whitehall Road, in mock panic incase the brakes failed and then moan as it went into the little stop at the flats at Teams.

It was the same coming back too. We would hang about outside the old pictures, just to get that back.

I know one set of Grandparents who lived on Barley Mow were the same if they went. The 26 stopped at the back of the house and ran twice an hour as well as the 721 & 727, the 183 stopped at the front, but it was always the 183 there and the 183 back.

(20 Aug 2013, 6:31 pm)Andreos1 wrote I/we were the same when I lived in Birtley or with friends when I moved from the place.
We would walk half a mile to get a 183, rather than quarter of a mile to get a 26 and change at Gateshead.

Did you ever use this version of the 26?

A service from Newcastle to Hexham via Whitonstall would be nice

(20 Aug 2013, 6:31 pm)Andreos1 wrote I/we were the same when I lived in Birtley or with friends when I moved from the place.
We would walk half a mile to get a 183, rather than quarter of a mile to get a 26 and change at Gateshead.
Mind I'm sure part of it was so we could sit upstairs at the front as it went down Whitehall Road, in mock panic incase the brakes failed and then moan as it went into the little stop at the flats at Teams.

It was the same coming back too. We would hang about outside the old pictures, just to get that back.

I know one set of Grandparents who lived on Barley Mow were the same if they went. The 26 stopped at the back of the house and ran twice an hour as well as the 721 & 727, the 183 stopped at the front, but it was always the 183 there and the 183 back.

The "game" I used to play with my Dad whenver I got the 183 when I was a kid was to guess which way the driver would go between the little bus stop at the Teams and the MetroCentre. Between the two points the bus ran direct, so it was up to the driver as to the route he chose.

The 183 got re-routed (I think in the late 90s or thereabouts) so that it actually served Barley Mow Estate rather than Vigo Lane and Durham Road.

(20 Aug 2013, 6:40 pm)AdamY wrote Did you ever use this version of the 26?

I didn't, only because it didn't last long and I never got a chance.
If I remember right, it changed back to the 'normal' route, before the summer holidays (at that age, really the only time I used it)

Similarly, the version that went via Norfolk Avenue & Suffolk Place, rather than past the school and along The Drive, only lasted a short while - so only got that a few times.

(20 Aug 2013, 6:43 pm)big mac wrote The "game" I used to play with my Dad whenver I got the 183 when I was a kid was to guess which way the driver would go between the little bus stop at the Teams and the MetroCentre. Between the two points the bus ran direct, so it was up to the driver as to the route he chose.

The 183 got re-routed (I think in the late 90s or thereabouts) so that it actually served Barley Mow Estate rather than Vigo Lane and Durham Road.

Aye, when the 26 was stopped, they sent the 183 around to add to the 721 and 777.

Never knew it was a flexible route, we always just thought the 'route had changed again' haha

(20 Aug 2013, 6:47 pm)Andreos1 wrote Aye, when the 26 was stopped, they sent the 183 around to add to the 721 and 777.

Never knew it was a flexible route, we always just thought the 'route had changed again' haha

There was quite a few different options tried by the drivers. I can remember it doing:

A184-A1-Hollinside Road
A184-A1-Cross Lane (past Fed Brewery)
Ellison Road and Market Lane
Clockmill Road along the bank of the Tyne
A184-A1-Park Terrace-Market Lane

There were possibly even more routes tried.

The 301 used to Market Lane, Ellison Road, Derwentwater Road and the A184 (Askew Road). The 188 *and maybe the 183 when it went to Gateshead Metro) used to serve Bensham Road, Lobley Hill Road, Victoria Road, Angus Road, Bolam Street and then the A184/A1.

The reason these two services were routed this way was to replace another service, the 60, which was withdrawn around 1990.

(20 Aug 2013, 6:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote Edit - Completely forgot about the poor little village (sorry eezypeazy) of Fencehouses too.
For years the 178 served the streets, estates and houses that the taxpayer funded TB20 works its way through these days, before plodding on to Houghton

Congratulations on being the 32nd person to mention 'Fencehouses' on our GNE threads.
True dedication to the area - eezypeazy, you should be chuffed (another 17 posts on the Quality Contracts thread)!

On the subject of the Metrocentre and Hexham, I do think it would have been better to re-route one of them there. The TEN is unique because of that, and I imagine many will use the TEN to get there as opposed to the X84/X85 and a connection onto a Metrocentre service from there, similar to the above stories mentioned about services from the past.

(20 Aug 2013, 8:15 pm)Daniel wrote Congratulations on being the 32nd person to mention 'Fencehouses' on our GNE threads.
True dedication to the area - eezypeazy, you should be chuffed (another 17 posts on the Quality Contracts thread)!

On the subject of the Metrocentre and Hexham, I do think it would have been better to re-route one of them there. The TEN is unique because of that, and I imagine many will use the TEN to get there as opposed to the X84/X85 and a connection onto a Metrocentre service from there, similar to the above stories mentioned about services from the past.

32nd person or the only person 32 times? :p
Don't understand the fascination with the place, but a perfect example when drawing on GNE operations and their disregard to passengers.

Will passengers from places like Stocksfield, Corbridge and Hexham get the 10 or will they jump on the train?
I'm aware of a few people living beyond those points in places like Whittonstall, Ovingham, Wall etc, who will either do the whole journey in a car, or park at a station and finish the journey to the Metrocentre/Newcastle on the train for work and pleasure, rather than bus it.
Obviously those villages won't have enough demand for a regular service, all day/every day, but if there are people driving and using the train, then is there an possible 'through' route, to take some of these outlying villages into account?

Services have been trialed from Wylam, Ovingham and Ovington. A few years ago, the 684, when operated by Arriva, was rerouted to serve Metrocentre via Ryton and Crawcrook. After a year or so, it returned to its previous route via Heddon and Throckley. No further diversion has been attempted since. This probably indicates that the demand wasn't there then and I seriously doubt it has increased since.

There was also the commuter service Arriva and then GNE ran up New Ridley Road in Stocksfield too.
It didn't last long under the GNE stewardship.

These two services were also trialed in 1987.

(20 Aug 2013, 8:52 pm)AdamY wrote These two services were also trialed in 1987.

Maybe worth looking at again? Especially as the Metrocentre was only half built and looking at those timetables, didn't even have a railway station.

Castleside - Consett - Shotley Bridge - Ebchester - High Spen - Greenside - Ryton - express to Metrocentre & Newcastle

Lanchester - Consett - Ebchester - Stocksfield - Prudhoe - Crawcrook - Ryton - express to Metrocentre & Newcastle

(20 Aug 2013, 9:04 pm)Andreos1 wrote Maybe worth looking at again? Especially as the Metrocentre was only half built and looking at those timetables, didn't even have a railway station.

Castleside - Consett - Shotley Bridge - Ebchester - High Spen - Greenside - Ryton - express to Metrocentre & Newcastle

Lanchester - Consett - Ebchester - Stocksfield - Prudhoe - Crawcrook - Ryton - express to Metrocentre & Newcastle

I know you like to create new links between otherwise unconnected villages, but honestly the 45/46 would be the express option in both of the routes you suggest. Remarkably, the journey between Blackhall Mill and Rowlands Gill takes 20 odd minutes on the 47 through Chopwell opposed to just 6 minutes between Hamsterley Bank Top and Rowlands Gill on the 45/46. Add on the extra time it would take to traverse through Greenside, Crawcrook and Ryton (around another 35 mins) - you're beginning to take on a journey time proportional to the 638! - If living in either Castleside or Lanchester, it would be quicker to get the bus to Consett then transfer onto the 45/46 with a journey time of just 44 minutes from Consett to the Metrocentre.