Following Go North East’s withdrawal of Diamond 43/44 from the turning circle at Sacriston in March 2012, they have stated that there have been noticeable improvements in the reliability of the service. Together with other changes on the route, there has also been a reduction in the number of services ‘bunching’ and a decrease in the lost mileage (parts of the service that are not run at all) on the route.

Go North East cited four reasons for the withdrawal of Diamond from the turning circle -

1. The delays caused by vehicles parked in and around the turning circle.
2. The delays caused by buses waiting to exit the junction from the bus stop on to Durham Road.
3. Diverting from a main route to serve a bus stop like this is not the most natural of bus operations.
4. They consider the turning circle to be an uninviting environment to wait for a bus.

There is currently no replacement stop and there is significant distance and incline between the nearest two stops. A new bus stop is proposed to serve as a replacement to the stop not currently used in the turning circle.

83 reasons for objections were raised by local residents. A fair amount of comments are valid in my view, but a couple I found quite comical

31. How will I clean my windows particularly the upstairs windows safely and how will I cut the bungalow hedge safely when waiting passengers will be there for over 16 hours per day?
Given that it is unlikely that passengers will be waiting directly outside your house, it is anticipated that you would clean your windows in the same manneras you do at present. It is not anticipated there will be a constant queue of waiting passengers at the bus stop for 16 hours a day. As such, it is anticipated that you would carry out this work with the same regard to the general public currently using the footpath.

78. Are you infringing on my human rights by subjecting me to excessive CO2 emissions?
Go North East state they have one of the cleanest bus fleets of its size in the country. The Diamond Service 43/44 is operated with Euro5 Standard for emissions.


In December 2012, the Committee were recommended to set aside the objections and endorse the proposal to proceed with construction of the bus stop and associated highway works.
Full Report - http://democracy.durham.gov.uk/documents...riston.pdf

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I haven't received a Sunderland consultation through the door yet - but I'm expecting one very soon! I have heard "bus-stop" talk about what is happening, but I don't think it's a good idea to share these because I don't know if they are just rumours, or people relaying what they've read in their recieved consultations. I don't want to spread ideas that may not be true. And also - it is just a consultation and plans can change; they certainly did about the proposed merging of 38 and 61 last year - Best to be sure and wait for official channels!