Big shout to the driver of 6314, currently battling it's way south on the 1330 ex Eldon Square, X9. Not easy for these guys.

Further to my last you've gotta question the sanity of operating double deck vehicles on routes like the X9/10 in conditions as we experienced this afternoon. I just had to speak with the driver concerned as I alighted from the bus in Middlesbrough as, a) he did a quality job keeping his vehicle on the road and b) knowing full well that he wouldn't get any praise or understanding from his company. OK it's difficult given modern day operating practices pretty much impossible to substitute vehicles in conditions like this but then what happens if, as the man said, he'd lost it? His parting comment, "just like driving a kite", summed things up!

(12 Mar 2020, 7:12 pm)scanialover wrote Further to my last you've gotta question the sanity of operating double deck vehicles on routes like the X9/10 in conditions as we experienced this afternoon. I just had to speak with the driver concerned as I alighted from the bus in Middlesbrough as, a) he did a quality job keeping his vehicle on the road and b) knowing full well that he wouldn't get any praise or understanding from his company. OK it's difficult given modern day operating practices pretty much impossible to substitute vehicles in conditions like this but then what happens if, as the man said, he'd lost it? His parting comment, "just like driving a kite", summed things up!

The X21 I was on, yesterday, was getting pulled around enough on the A1(M) with winds nowhere near as bad as today. 

It used to be that single deckers would be put on the X9/X10 in high winds.

To be honest I think it's a question poor management and putting the onus of responsibility on the driver. Me? I'd have simply asked for a changeover/single deck and refused to take the vehicle into service.

(12 Mar 2020, 8:01 pm)scanialover wrote To be honest I think it's a question poor management and putting the onus of responsibility on the driver. Me? I'd have simply asked for a changeover/single deck and refused to take the vehicle into service.

As soon as drivers report the high winds causing hazardous driving conditions to the Service Delivery Centre, changeovers are arranged with single-decks deployed (and the double-decks used on local bus routes like the 26/27).

Allocating single-decks isn’t something that anyone likes doing though, as people will be forced to stand on the A19 rather than be seated. That said, safety will never be compromised.

That’s the beauty of having a central control room and radio systems on buses (something which can’t be said for Arriva!)


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(12 Mar 2020, 8:32 pm)Dan wrote As soon as drivers report the high winds causing hazardous driving conditions to the Service Delivery Centre, changeovers are arranged with single-decks deployed (and the double-decks used on local bus routes like the 26/27).

Allocating single-decks isn’t something that anyone likes doing though, as people will be forced to stand on the A19 rather than be seated. That said, safety will never be compromised.

That’s the beauty of having a central control room and radio systems on buses (something which can’t be said for Arriva!)


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The only 2x ANE (Northumbria) routes which would be saffected by high winds would be the X15 and to some extent, the X18 & X20.

If high winds are a problem, ANE can do the following:
- X10 / X11: Via Dudley & Wideopen

- X9/X21/X22: Via Wideopen

- X20: Turn at Sandy Bay roundabout then via Stakeford, Guide Post, Glebe Road, Hartlands, Fisher Lane and Wideopen

- X30: Through Cramlington then via Dudley & Wideopen

- X14/X15/X16/X18: Via A1 (briefly) Stannington Station Road, A192, Fisher Lane & Wideopen

To my knowledge, high winds haven't really affected Arriva Northumbria services since they've sold Hexham to Go North East.

Other than that the only issue Arriva Northumbria would have with winds is the Redheugh Bridge. The A1 North of Newcastle isn't as exposed as the A19 between Wessington Way / Washington Highway and Wolviston plus the Tees Flyover.