(25 Jun 2013, 10:34 am)Andreos1 wrote Taking that into account, is there enough scope to extend the 23 so that it actually serves Wrekenton properly?
23 - Barley Mow, Birtley (current route to Wrekenton), QE, Leam Lane Estate (58 route - Whitehill Drive, Staneway, Whealcroft, Fewster Square), Cotemede, Leam Lane, Springwell Village and pick up current route to the Galleries.
New and improved links with that option.
Re - the lobby on the QE. I'm assuming its the local partnerships in Birtley and the councillors lobbying on that one.
I'd say that 23 route is too long for links from Birtley. It's already 40 minutes plus from Barley Mow to Galleries.
I'd adapt it slightly, with slight emphasis on a local Birtley service.
Galleries (as is current route to) - Springwell - Wrekenton - Eighton Banks - Mill House Roundabout Northside - Portmeads - Vigo - Barley Mow - Durham Road - Birtley Station Lane - Crematorium - Wrekenton - Springwell (current route) - Galleries Bus Station (omitting Sainsburys)
Though in my head not sure that route works, the idea is to adopt a more circular route and take the X25 away from Portmeads and Northside (no Sunday service anyway)
And with upcoming chaos on the Western Bypass I'm throwing up my X22 change again.
Route as is from Durham/Chester Le Street to Birtley then Lamesley - Team Valley Retail World then non stop to Metrocentre via Western Bypass (Lobley Hill where roadworks don't exist) or through Bensham/Teams (old 183 routing)
This would add links to Retail World from Chester and Birtley and the Team Valley is getting extended bus lanes which will benefit services