(28 May 2020, 6:47 pm)Storx wrote I can imagine it's more about the Wrekenton to Low Fell link if you redirected the Q1/Q2 your losing that link and I could imagine that's more popular than Birtley to the QE. You could argue that's there's too many buses down Sheriff Hill aswell; 28, 56, 57 (Partly), X1. Even known it's a big loss for those using the link.

Redirecting the 25 to Arnison makes it way too long for Langley Park and Sacriston for going to Newcastle which is main purpose of the route. Both those communities already have the X20 for that link but is there much demand to Arnison North of Chester-Le-Street, I'm not too sure.

Not really. At the narrowest point, Kells Lane is meters from Durham Road. Dryden Road then shadows it for its length. 
You wouldn't be losing that link at all. 

I'd suggest more people would be inconvenced losing a link to/from their local hospital, than those walking a couple of minutes down Lowreys Lane.

However, if the connection between the various parts of Birtley to the local hospital isn't well used, it goes back to my question the other day. Why? Why aren't people using the bus which serves the various estates of Birtley and beyond, to get to/from work, visiting or appointments at the QE? It's not as if the QE isn't a popular (and I use the word loosely) destination for the people of Gateshead (including the most vulnerable and possibly those in the lower demographics). The footfall is massive, yet here we are seeing direct bus services to it - reduced.
Just like we've seen in Sunderland.