Was there a consultation about these changes?

(29 Sep 2026, 8:28 pm)Jimmi wrote Had no idea these trips existed already, although I don't recall Arriva mentioning said journeys were introduced at the time although it's absent from the timetable on both Arriva's own website and bustimes, but does show up on the Travel North East site and Google Maps, figured that was the change as was looking on the Travel North East site for upcoming timetable changes and used bustimes to compare with current times.

No idea what's changing with the 56 then.

The 56 had a timetable change from the 30th August which saw them introduced, but you're right in saying the addition of these journeys wasn't mentioned anywhere on the Arriva site - they did appear in the timetable on bustimes and I think the Arriva site too in early September but strangely have vanished, despite still operating!

(29 Sep 2026, 8:28 pm)Jimmi wrote Had no idea these trips existed already, although I don't recall Arriva mentioning said journeys were introduced at the time although it's absent from the timetable on both Arriva's own website and bustimes, but does show up on the Travel North East site and Google Maps, figured that was the change as was looking on the Travel North East site for upcoming timetable changes and used bustimes to compare with current times.

No idea what's changing with the 56 then.

56 changes are likely the 56A being withdrawn and later trips through to Bishop Auckland to further mitigate the loss of the 35A

Councillor Pete Malloy has posted information on Facebook with partial replacement journeys for the withdrawal of service 35A.

I have received a couple of enquiries regarding the 35A bus service from the 31st October, 2026.
Below is the information I have received from DCC.
Following a review of supported bus services and available funding, Service 35A will be withdrawn from 1 November 2026.
To maintain access to key destinations for local residents, the following replacement journeys will be introduced:
Arriva Service 56 will provide the following additional Monday to Saturday evening journeys: Ferryhill to Bishop Auckland/Tindale Crescent at 7:44pm and 8:44pm.
Tindale Crescent/Bishop Auckland to Ferryhill at 8:15pm and 9:15pm.
This changes will improve evening access to Tindale Crescent Retail Park following customer requests to provide additional opportunities for shopping, employment and leisure trips.
Arriva Service 8 will provide an additional later evening journey between Spennymoor and Darlington: Monday to Friday at 7:09pm. Satureday at 06:57pm.
These changes will retain the majority of current travel opportunities and maintain access to key destinations across the area on an evening.