Whilst the Chester Road section may need 10 buses an hour, the 2a/2c seem to be quiet on the stretch between Penshaw and the Galleries - probably because the market is saturated at various points (remember GNE wanted to reduce the M1 beyond Mount Pleasant whilst increasing the 2a/2c).
Obviously there will be exceptions to this during rush hour etc.
Harraton - Galleries has the M3, 8 and 2a/2c.
Lambton - Galleries has the M2, M3, 50 and 2a/2c.
Fatfield - Galleries has the 4, 8 and 2a/2c.
Penshaw - Galleries has the 4 and 2a/2c.
Biddick - Galleries has the W5, M2, M3, 4, 8 and 2a/2c.
Maintaining the frequency along Chester Road sounds good - offering a quicker alternative at the same time and stopping duplication between Penshaw and Galleries (as in the route via Washington Highway and on to Newcastle - easing loads on crowded x1 deckers) seems to be a positive too.
RE: Go North East Service Suggestions
'Illegitimis non carborundum'