(18 Nov 2023, 2:16 pm)L469 YVK wrote Nedderton Village has always been a headache. Dammed if running a 'secondary' service through it that barely breaks even (i.e the old half-hourly X33 or uncombined X22) or putting a more profitable service through like the X21 but makes the route too long.

Would Arriva be able to shave a few minutes of the X21 running via Stannington junction & A1 after Nedderton as opposed to A192 & A1068? The other issue with that being the level crossing defeating the object.

Also, there's money to be had along Ridge Terrace too which Arriva will need come the ABTRL.

See when the train comes in, imo you'd be better looking at more, maybe something like this:

X19 (Hourly): North Seaton - Ashington - Milburn Road - Stakeford - Bedlington Station - Newcastle
X20 (Hourly): Current route Alnwick to Ashington - Milburn Road - Stakeford - Bedlington Station - Newcastle

X19/X20 - Every 30 Minutes Ashington to Newcastle

X21 (2 or 3 BPH): Ashington - Wansbeck Hospital - Woodhorn - Newbiggin - East Sleekburn - Bedlington Station - Bedlington - Nedderton - Newcastle
X22 (2 or 3 BPH): Current Route

X21/X22 - Either 10/15 minutes combined depending on train changes.

Evenings / Sundays: X19/X21/X22 - Each hourly.

Map:


Benefits:

• Faster journey times from Newbiggin to Newcastle
  
• New Newbiggin connection to Bedlington Station for train connections.
  
• New 2 BPH fast from Newcastle to Ashington
  
• Faster journey times from Milburn Road to Newcastle
  
• New evening / Sunday service to Newcastle from North Seaton
  

Negatives for balance:

• Loss of Bedlington to Stakeford service
  
• X20 no longer direct via A189 but after the diversion around Ashington it's neglible.
  
• Longer journey times from North Seaton to Newcastle but gain evening and Sunday service.