Does anyone know which way the 2 and 78 are going next week, when the BBC radio bigweek is on, as the road in front of Penshaw is closed.

(10 May 2026, 7:55 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know which way the 2 and 78 are going next week, when the BBC radio bigweek is on, as the road in front of Penshaw is closed.

From what im reading. Chester Road is closed to all traffic except for buses with the 2 & 78 not serving any stops so it'll run through non stop both directions and then on the evenings (I think) they will be diverted

(10 May 2026, 10:18 pm)Nerd4321 wrote From what im reading. Chester Road is closed to all traffic except for buses with the 2 & 78 not serving any stops so it'll run through non stop both directions and then on the evenings (I think) they will be diverted

That's good then thought they might of been diverted.

(10 May 2026, 7:55 pm)Michael wrote Does anyone know which way the 2 and 78 are going next week, when the BBC radio bigweek is on, as the road in front of Penshaw is closed.

This is from the Go North East website.

Road closures and diversions for the Radio One Big Weekend affecting services 2 & 78
22nd - 24th May 2026

Affected routes:
2

78
Affected stops:
Chester Road-Church Street, NE-bound

Chester Road-Council Avenue, SW-bound

Chester Road-Windermere Crescent, NE-bound

Chester Road-Clydesdale Avenue, N-bound

Chester Road-Clydesdale Avenue, S-bound

Chester Road-Rose Street West, S-bound

Penshaw The Prospect, N-bound

Chester Road-Penshaw Monument, NE-bound

Chester Road-Penshaw Monument, SW-bound

Chester Road-Flinton Hill Farm, NE-bound

Chester Road-Flinton Hill Farm, SW-bound

Chester Road-Foxcover Road, NE-bound

Chester Road-Foxcover Road, SW-bound

Chester Road-Gardiner Square, W-bound

Chester Road-Greenwood Road, E-bound

Grindon Mill Inn, NE-bound

Grindon Mill Inn, SW-bound
Radio One's Big Weekend event will come to Herrington Country Park on the weekend of Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May.  There will be road closures in place to facilitate the safe movement of event goers and keep event traffic moving.

Bus stops on Chester Road between the Avondale Avenue roundabout and the A19 will be closed each day from 10:00 (Friday) and 08:00 (Saturday / Sunday).  Additionally, the same section of Chester Road will be closed entirely from 21:00 until end of service each night. Service 2 will divert between Avondale Avenue and Grindon, while service 78 will divert between Shiney Row and Grindon.  Buses will operate non stop via the A182, Herrington Road, A690 and Grindon Lane in both directions. Service 2 will be unable to serve stops between the top of Avondale Avenue and Broadway but will serve the stops on Chester Road between Avondale Avenue and Shiney Row roundabout to provide a service from this area.  Service 78 will be unable to serve stops between Shiney Row and Broadway.  Buses on both services will serve the bus stops closest to Shiney Row roundabout in both directions.

(11 May 2026, 5:05 pm)BFK wrote This is from the Go North East website.

Road closures and diversions for the Radio One Big Weekend affecting services 2 & 78
22nd - 24th May 2026

Affected routes:
2

78
Affected stops:
Chester Road-Church Street, NE-bound

Chester Road-Council Avenue, SW-bound

Chester Road-Windermere Crescent, NE-bound

Chester Road-Clydesdale Avenue, N-bound

Chester Road-Clydesdale Avenue, S-bound

Chester Road-Rose Street West, S-bound

Penshaw The Prospect, N-bound

Chester Road-Penshaw Monument, NE-bound

Chester Road-Penshaw Monument, SW-bound

Chester Road-Flinton Hill Farm, NE-bound

Chester Road-Flinton Hill Farm, SW-bound

Chester Road-Foxcover Road, NE-bound

Chester Road-Foxcover Road, SW-bound

Chester Road-Gardiner Square, W-bound

Chester Road-Greenwood Road, E-bound

Grindon Mill Inn, NE-bound

Grindon Mill Inn, SW-bound
Radio One's Big Weekend event will come to Herrington Country Park on the weekend of Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May.  There will be road closures in place to facilitate the safe movement of event goers and keep event traffic moving.

Bus stops on Chester Road between the Avondale Avenue roundabout and the A19 will be closed each day from 10:00 (Friday) and 08:00 (Saturday / Sunday).  Additionally, the same section of Chester Road will be closed entirely from 21:00 until end of service each night. Service 2 will divert between Avondale Avenue and Grindon, while service 78 will divert between Shiney Row and Grindon.  Buses will operate non stop via the A182, Herrington Road, A690 and Grindon Lane in both directions. Service 2 will be unable to serve stops between the top of Avondale Avenue and Broadway but will serve the stops on Chester Road between Avondale Avenue and Shiney Row roundabout to provide a service from this area.  Service 78 will be unable to serve stops between Shiney Row and Broadway.  Buses on both services will serve the bus stops closest to Shiney Row roundabout in both directions.

Canny diversion that

Which companies are providing the shuttle buses for the BBC Radio weekend?

(11 May 2026, 6:10 pm)Michael wrote Which companies are providing the shuttle buses for the BBC Radio weekend?

The Big Green Company from Birmingham are referenced on the BBC Radio Weekend website, nothing referenced about local operators operating shuttles unless this is to be confirmed by the end of the week.

There's a timetable online here too: https://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/wp-conte...eekend.pdf

Like Malarkey, I can't see any mention of individual operators. I presume it's contracted out to the Big Green Company, who then sub contract it to local providers?

(11 May 2026, 6:29 pm)Adrian wrote There's a timetable online here too: https://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/wp-conte...eekend.pdf

Like Malarkey, I can't see any mention of individual operators. I presume it's contracted out to the Big Green Company, who then sub contract it to local providers?

Yes Big Green use a wide range of coach operators to run their services nationwide. The more local runs will almost certainly have a lot of double decks on - most likely everyone local will be involved and probably plenty from elsewhere like York Pullman, Tetleys, A&A, DM etc

This is gonna go fantastically if City actually did something. Seems people who work for city or are meant to be helping have been told nothing

Its next Friday and absolutely nothing has been said or mentioned so if you listen closely. You can hear James off on another aid run

(11 May 2026, 10:18 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yes Big Green use a wide range of coach operators to run their services nationwide. The more local runs will almost certainly have a lot of double decks on - most likely everyone local will be involved and probably plenty from elsewhere like York Pullman, Tetleys, A&A, DM etc

I've emailed Big Green to see if they're able to provide anymore information, once I have an update I'll post the details if there is any.

(12 May 2026, 3:46 pm)Malarkey wrote I've emailed Big Green to see if they're able to provide anymore information, once I have an update I'll post the details if there is any.

Got an email back from Big Green which literally said "unfortunately I cannot share any operational details with you."

(14 May 2026, 3:30 pm)Malarkey wrote Got an email back from Big Green which literally said "unfortunately I cannot share any operational details with you."

Seems nobody knows. Its amazing that the event is next week and all we have is "shuttle buses will be running" no timetables or anything about who's running it

Found this Timetable on the Big Green Website which shows pick-up times from various locations, but does not specify arrival times.



Only other information is: 

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend (Friday 22 May – Sunday 24 May 2026)
BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend - Big Green Coach




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Book Coach Travel to BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland with Big Green Coach, the event’s official travel partner.

DAY RETURN COACH
We are operating day return coach services on Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May from 23 locations. Services are scheduled to arrive for gates opening and depart once all the music has finished. You won’t need to worry about leaving early to get the last train, being the designated driver, or booking expensive hotels.

PICKUP LOCATIONS
Travel from: Billingham, Blackhall Colliery, Blyth, Bowburn, Byker, Cramlington / Gosforth, Darlington, Easington, Gateshead (Metrocentre), Hartlepool, Kingston Park, Marske, Middlesbrough, Newton Aycliffe, North Shields, Ord Street Coach Park, Percy Main, Peterlee, Redcar, Seaham, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Spennymoor, and Whitley Bay.

SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE
We will be operating a frequent shuttle service directly to Herrington Country Park from the following three locations:

Heworth Metro Station, Gateshead
Park Lane Interchange, Sunderland
Belmont Park & Ride, Durham
Friday 22nd May
Arrivals: 13:00 – 18:00
Departures: 21:00 – Midnight

Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May
Arrivals: 09:30 – 15:00
Departures: 21:00 – Midnight

Return tickets for the shuttle service are available in advance for £13 (Price includes all service fees).

WHY BIG GREEN COACH?
Hassle-free and sustainable travel direct to the festival with the UK’s largest events travel company! We’ve been committed to making the greenest mode of event transport even greener for over 15 years! Leave the car at home and travel sustainably with like-minded music fans on one of our carbon-neutral coaches!

NO BEING THE DESIGNATED DRIVER
NO RELYING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
NO EXPENSIVE HOTELS
THE GREEN OPTION

(14 May 2026, 4:30 pm)Malarkey wrote [snip]
PICKUP LOCATIONS
Travel from: Billingham, Blackhall Colliery, Blyth, Bowburn, Byker, Cramlington / Gosforth, Darlington, Easington, Gateshead (Metrocentre), Hartlepool, Kingston Park, Marske, Middlesbrough, Newton Aycliffe, North Shields, Ord Street Coach Park, Percy Main, Peterlee, Redcar, Seaham, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Spennymoor, and Whitley Bay.
[snip]

I wonder how they chose those locations? Seems rather random. The places in East Cleveland are a good deal further away than say Killingworth, Cramlington, Ryton/Prudhoe.

(14 May 2026, 5:23 pm)Busadvocate wrote I wonder how they chose those locations? Seems rather random. The places in East Cleveland are a good deal further away than say Killingworth, Cramlington, Ryton/Prudhoe.

Tbf it's the locations of the stops which baffle me. Like Durham Services why would anyone want to be there?

I could understand during the day but it's going to be like 23:45 - it's in the middle of nowhere. 

The Metrocentre Coach Park being another one, great place to exchange for buses etc - but nothing runs at that time of night.

Surprised there's not later Metro's either. 23:30 is tight for the last train to the coast up this way.

(14 May 2026, 7:22 pm)Storx wrote Tbf it's the locations of the stops which baffle me. Like Durham Services why would anyone want to be there?

I could understand during the day but it's going to be like 23:45 - it's in the middle of nowhere. 

The Metrocentre Coach Park being another one, great place to exchange for buses etc - but nothing runs at that time of night.

Surprised there's not later Metro's either. 23:30 is tight for the last train to the coast up this way.

Wonder if they're planning on using them as park and rides?

(14 May 2026, 8:32 pm)F114TML wrote Wonder if they're planning on using them as park and rides?

Yeah possibly, the other thing I was thinking maybe is they're selling packages which include a connection there like they do with coach trips down South but haven't seen anything.

Seems a bit close to be doing that though, it makes sense on a coach to the cruise but not sure it would be worth it for a bus to Sunderland (effectively). 

I'm very surprised there's nothing to Durham though mind, for trains etc. The advice of "If you wish to arrive at Durham Railway Station please make your own way to Belmont Park and Ride to use the shuttle service." is really crap. How on earth are you meant to get from there at night.

Travel Advice for Radio 1's Big Weekend

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/travel-adv...ig-weekend

(18 May 2026, 5:42 pm)Michael wrote Travel Advice for Radio 1's Big Weekend

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/travel-adv...ig-weekend

Hmmm, wonder if Go North East are running the Heworth Interchange (Gateshead), Park Lane Interchange (Sunderland), and Belmont P&R (Durham) Shuttles on behalf of Big Green Company given they've made a post regarding the event.

How many shuttle buses will there be at each pick up point? Are they buses rather than coaches?

(18 May 2026, 9:39 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote How many shuttle buses will there be at each pick up point? Are they buses rather than coaches?

Going in is much less than going out. Based on previous experience of doing these events the outbound journeys (because everyone wants to go home at once) will usually attract 100+ deckers to shift everyone.
When I did R1BW in Hull there was lots of independents involved but also East Yorkshire, Stagecoach, Arriva, Transdev etc

Why not just, be patient, wait and have a nice surprise on the day?

(19 May 2026, 7:02 am)F114TML wrote Why not just, be patient, wait and have a nice surprise on the day?

You replying to me? Just looking for a rough estimate, 1 or 2?, 5?, 20?, presumably not 100? Hopefully there might be a couple of good buses on the shuttles!

(19 May 2026, 9:28 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote You replying to me? Just looking for a rough estimate, 1 or 2?, 5?, 20?, presumably not 100? Hopefully there might be a couple of good buses on the shuttles!

There are 34000 people going each day (Fri, Sat, Sun) - when they all want to go home at 11pm you need a huge fleet to shift them all.
As I said previously going in is more spread out so the return is where the fun is. When I did Hull many years back there was stuff from all over Yorkshire turning up, and indeed us from Stagecarriage took I think 9 down.

(19 May 2026, 9:28 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote You replying to me? Just looking for a rough estimate, 1 or 2?, 5?, 20?, presumably not 100? Hopefully there might be a couple of good buses on the shuttles!

More generally towards those wanting to know who's running what and with what.

(20 May 2026, 12:46 pm)F114TML wrote More generally towards those wanting to know who's running what and with what.

Fair enough. I agree it makes sense to wait and see what turns up. Hopefully I'll get to see a few of them on the outbound shuttles (I'm never out at like 11pm looking for buses). Presumably they all leave the pickup location together. What time do they arrive at the pick up locations?

(20 May 2026, 4:06 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Fair enough. I agree it makes sense to wait and see what turns up. Hopefully I'll get to see a few of them on the outbound shuttles (I'm never out at like 11pm looking for buses). Presumably they all leave the pickup location together. What time do they arrive at the pick up locations?

For the longer trips yes there’ll be set timings. For the regular shuttles it’ll be a few buses running back & forth all day. I’d expect the local ones to be the likes of JH, L&G, Northstar with deckers. The longer distance services more likely coaches. Inbound flows are going to be more spread out than the outbound ones where everyone wants to go home at once.

Don’t forget there is rail replacement on between Darlington & York plus of course the Boro (& Hull) are at Wembley so it’s a huge demand this weekend from NE & Yorkshire

(20 May 2026, 4:06 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Fair enough. I agree it makes sense to wait and see what turns up. Hopefully I'll get to see a few of them on the outbound shuttles (I'm never out at like 11pm looking for buses). Presumably they all leave the pickup location together. What time do they arrive at the pick up locations?

For the longer trips yes there’ll be set timings. For the regular shuttles it’ll be a few buses running back & forth all day. I’d expect the local ones to be the likes of JH, L&G, Northstar with deckers. The longer distance services more likely coaches. Inbound flows are going to be more spread out than the outbound ones where everyone wants to go home at once.

(20 May 2026, 4:06 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Fair enough. I agree it makes sense to wait and see what turns up. Hopefully I'll get to see a few of them on the outbound shuttles (I'm never out at like 11pm looking for buses). Presumably they all leave the pickup location together. What time do they arrive at the pick up locations?

Go North East are operating Shuttles from Heworth Metro to Herrington Country Park on both Saturday and Sunday.