Jesmond Depot
Jesmond Depot
(05 Jan 2022, 7:34 pm)L469 YVK I wouldn't say it's a suggestion (although I have proposed it as a suggestion previously).
- Given a potential move of the 306 to Blyth = reducing dead mileage
- PVR limits at Blyth = Potential PVR cuts meaning marginal frequency reductions
- Driving hour limits
It's a very valid point regarding the actual move as it would have genuine implications that would need to be considered. That doesn't just go for the 306/308 but other services too whether their interworking pattens would change, frequencies whether they'd remain the same or decrease.
A network re-design (large changes to actual routes etc) would easily fall under service suggestions however
(05 Jan 2022, 7:34 pm)L469 YVK I wouldn't say it's a suggestion (although I have proposed it as a suggestion previously).
- Given a potential move of the 306 to Blyth = reducing dead mileage
- PVR limits at Blyth = Potential PVR cuts meaning marginal frequency reductions
- Driving hour limits
It's a very valid point regarding the actual move as it would have genuine implications that would need to be considered. That doesn't just go for the 306/308 but other services too whether their interworking pattens would change, frequencies whether they'd remain the same or decrease.
A network re-design (large changes to actual routes etc) would easily fall under service suggestions however
(05 Jan 2022, 8:07 pm)V514DFT Where abouts in Walkergate is the new depot going to be?
(05 Jan 2022, 8:07 pm)V514DFT Where abouts in Walkergate is the new depot going to be?
(05 Jan 2022, 7:55 pm)mb134 I'm not sure Arriva share your appetite to nuke their Coast Road services. Along with the X21/22, they were amongst the first/only Northumbria services to be put back up to pre-Covid frequencies (ahead of the X10/11 for example) from memory. IMO the only way they reduce Coast Road frequency is if GNE win their electric bid.It will all be a numbers game whatever is changed as a result. Either things will stay largely the same give or take some small and or behind the scenes changes. Or the depot move will be the start of a major network refresh similar to GNE had in Sept 2021. But Arriva whilst cutting PVRs do have the ability to actually 'improve' rather than make outright cuts. Some 'deadwood' services mopped up and merged into more streamlined, profitable and improved services.
For what it's worth, I'm spending a decent chunk of time every day at the moment in and around Haymarket and both the 306 and 308 are taking decent loads whenever I see them - though I'm aware that's merely a fraction of the overall route.
(05 Jan 2022, 7:55 pm)mb134 I'm not sure Arriva share your appetite to nuke their Coast Road services. Along with the X21/22, they were amongst the first/only Northumbria services to be put back up to pre-Covid frequencies (ahead of the X10/11 for example) from memory. IMO the only way they reduce Coast Road frequency is if GNE win their electric bid.It will all be a numbers game whatever is changed as a result. Either things will stay largely the same give or take some small and or behind the scenes changes. Or the depot move will be the start of a major network refresh similar to GNE had in Sept 2021. But Arriva whilst cutting PVRs do have the ability to actually 'improve' rather than make outright cuts. Some 'deadwood' services mopped up and merged into more streamlined, profitable and improved services.
For what it's worth, I'm spending a decent chunk of time every day at the moment in and around Haymarket and both the 306 and 308 are taking decent loads whenever I see them - though I'm aware that's merely a fraction of the overall route.
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
1. an area of wasteland on Benfield Road directly opposite the end of Appletree Gardens. That is adjacent to Benfield Park hospital and health centre, but I doubt the NHS would be impressed with the pollution from ancient minibuses drifting into their grounds. Mind you, they already have to contend with noise and pollution from the nearby Heaton railway depot and sidings.
2. areas of wasteland on both sides of Shields Road near the Siemens (Parsons) works. Arguably, these areas are probably in Byker anyway, being close to where the old Newcastle Corporation Byker bus depot used to be.
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
1. an area of wasteland on Benfield Road directly opposite the end of Appletree Gardens. That is adjacent to Benfield Park hospital and health centre, but I doubt the NHS would be impressed with the pollution from ancient minibuses drifting into their grounds. Mind you, they already have to contend with noise and pollution from the nearby Heaton railway depot and sidings.
2. areas of wasteland on both sides of Shields Road near the Siemens (Parsons) works. Arguably, these areas are probably in Byker anyway, being close to where the old Newcastle Corporation Byker bus depot used to be.
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 1:30 am)Bazza Let’s just throw this into the mix:
I heard that the new Walkergate depot was for both mini buses and electric buses.
So rather than all none mini bus services going to Blyth, maybe some will be staying at Walkergate but upgraded to electric.
(06 Jan 2022, 1:30 am)Bazza Let’s just throw this into the mix:
I heard that the new Walkergate depot was for both mini buses and electric buses.
So rather than all none mini bus services going to Blyth, maybe some will be staying at Walkergate but upgraded to electric.
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!I reckon your Option 2 might be a decent shout,is that that massive derelict site that runs right upto the back of Byker ASDA?
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
1. an area of wasteland on Benfield Road directly opposite the end of Appletree Gardens. That is adjacent to Benfield Park hospital and health centre, but I doubt the NHS would be impressed with the pollution from ancient minibuses drifting into their grounds. Mind you, they already have to contend with noise and pollution from the nearby Heaton railway depot and sidings.
2. areas of wasteland on both sides of Shields Road near the Siemens (Parsons) works. Arguably, these areas are probably in Byker anyway, being close to where the old Newcastle Corporation Byker bus depot used to be.
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!I reckon your Option 2 might be a decent shout,is that that massive derelict site that runs right upto the back of Byker ASDA?
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
1. an area of wasteland on Benfield Road directly opposite the end of Appletree Gardens. That is adjacent to Benfield Park hospital and health centre, but I doubt the NHS would be impressed with the pollution from ancient minibuses drifting into their grounds. Mind you, they already have to contend with noise and pollution from the nearby Heaton railway depot and sidings.
2. areas of wasteland on both sides of Shields Road near the Siemens (Parsons) works. Arguably, these areas are probably in Byker anyway, being close to where the old Newcastle Corporation Byker bus depot used to be.
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
1. an area of wasteland on Benfield Road directly opposite the end of Appletree Gardens. That is adjacent to Benfield Park hospital and health centre, but I doubt the NHS would be impressed with the pollution from ancient minibuses drifting into their grounds. Mind you, they already have to contend with noise and pollution from the nearby Heaton railway depot and sidings.
2. areas of wasteland on both sides of Shields Road near the Siemens (Parsons) works. Arguably, these areas are probably in Byker anyway, being close to where the old Newcastle Corporation Byker bus depot used to be.
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
1. an area of wasteland on Benfield Road directly opposite the end of Appletree Gardens. That is adjacent to Benfield Park hospital and health centre, but I doubt the NHS would be impressed with the pollution from ancient minibuses drifting into their grounds. Mind you, they already have to contend with noise and pollution from the nearby Heaton railway depot and sidings.
2. areas of wasteland on both sides of Shields Road near the Siemens (Parsons) works. Arguably, these areas are probably in Byker anyway, being close to where the old Newcastle Corporation Byker bus depot used to be.
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 6:29 pm)Storx I'm not sure how easy it would be to work with (or demolish) but I have a feeling that it might be on the old Heaton Track Maintenance Depot found here - https://goo.gl/maps/aAoKSdyQ5rKWs6dXA
(06 Jan 2022, 6:29 pm)Storx I'm not sure how easy it would be to work with (or demolish) but I have a feeling that it might be on the old Heaton Track Maintenance Depot found here - https://goo.gl/maps/aAoKSdyQ5rKWs6dXA
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 6:29 pm)Storx I have a feeling both that and Blyth are short term anyway until a proper depot is built somewhere with them merged but they don't want to spend the money I assume until Blyth is sold. It's literally in the plans for Blyth Town Centre so has to move.
(06 Jan 2022, 12:14 am)N391OTY A very good question !!
Walkergate geographically is a very small area. Move within a quarter of a mile in any direction of Walkergate Metro station and you've left Walkergate, and are in Byker or Heaton or Walkerville or Walker. The only sites I can think of are
3. a corner of the yard in the Stagecoach Walkergate depot.
My money is on option 3 given Arriva's reluctance to spend unnecessary money at the moment, and could be attractive to Stagecoach as well, if ever they wanted a few more local services to take over in the Newcastle area. All this assumes that the new depot is only for minibuses, of course.
(06 Jan 2022, 6:29 pm)Storx I have a feeling both that and Blyth are short term anyway until a proper depot is built somewhere with them merged but they don't want to spend the money I assume until Blyth is sold. It's literally in the plans for Blyth Town Centre so has to move.
(08 Jan 2022, 8:07 am)RobinHood The new depot will be built on the land to the west of Siemens, adj to Chilli Rd metro station. Drivers will use the metro to get into town for relief.
(08 Jan 2022, 8:07 am)RobinHood The new depot will be built on the land to the west of Siemens, adj to Chilli Rd metro station. Drivers will use the metro to get into town for relief.
(08 Jan 2022, 10:50 am)ne14ne1 Part of that plot is being used by Quay Timber. I wonder if they vacate or Arriva just use the part of it that’s left.If, as suggested, there are only going to be about a dozen vehicles at this new depot then actually building a depot seems overkill - a dozen buses is more like a rented yard.
(08 Jan 2022, 10:50 am)ne14ne1 Part of that plot is being used by Quay Timber. I wonder if they vacate or Arriva just use the part of it that’s left.If, as suggested, there are only going to be about a dozen vehicles at this new depot then actually building a depot seems overkill - a dozen buses is more like a rented yard.
(08 Jan 2022, 7:20 pm)Storx Unless the 50's get downgraded. Would be very close to 30 including spares then. The 52/53 used to be minibuses anyway for years until they went to Jesmond. 340/342/343/344
(08 Jan 2022, 7:20 pm)Storx Unless the 50's get downgraded. Would be very close to 30 including spares then. The 52/53 used to be minibuses anyway for years until they went to Jesmond. 340/342/343/344
(08 Jan 2022, 8:07 am)RobinHood The new depot will be built on the land to the west of Siemens, adj to Chilli Rd metro station. Drivers will use the metro to get into town for relief.
(08 Jan 2022, 7:59 pm)peter Entirely possible I suppose, only issue is there wouldn't be enough Solo's to execute that. Perhaps the Eco Green Streetlites will be allocated to the new depot for the 52/53/54.
(08 Jan 2022, 8:07 am)RobinHood The new depot will be built on the land to the west of Siemens, adj to Chilli Rd metro station. Drivers will use the metro to get into town for relief.
(08 Jan 2022, 7:59 pm)peter Entirely possible I suppose, only issue is there wouldn't be enough Solo's to execute that. Perhaps the Eco Green Streetlites will be allocated to the new depot for the 52/53/54.
(08 Jan 2022, 10:29 pm)Bazza
Surprised that Arriva would rely on the Metro to get its drivers to where they need to be
not just a minibus depot then?
(08 Jan 2022, 10:29 pm)Bazza
Surprised that Arriva would rely on the Metro to get its drivers to where they need to be
not just a minibus depot then?