(22 Dec 2020, 8:36 pm)Storx wrote See if I was going to mess around with Birtley I'd change the 25 differently and keep it roughly the same but serve Blackfell Way additionally. I'd change the bottom half of the route though and instead of heading towards Barley Mow, I'd go towards Rickleton and Harraton and do a loop around there before going to CLS via Picktree and then terminate it there. Then extend 2 of the short 21's to do the rest of the 25 bus route so they don't have sit on a magical bus tour around Birtley and Wrekenton - it gives you the ability to make the 25 a bit longer in places without punishing anyone.

At the same time I'd look at sending the 50 upto Barley Mow and along Vigo Lane before rejoining it's bus route instead of going express along the A1(M), the time can't be too much different and it gives the bottom end of Birtley new bus links to Durham, Nissan and South Shields and getting arid of the 50A as it's no longer needed between CLS and Washington (replaced by 25).

For the 82 I'd probably try and extend it to Gateshead hourly via the 28 bus route to replace the 925 so it eliminates the change you were mentioning anyway and gives a service every 30 minutes through Eighton Banks (there's no PVR change) - I know you'd have to change the loop a bit.

There are all sorts of options to sorting out the mess that is Birtley and the bus network around there too
Seriously though, what you have just described could work. 

The 551 (what is now the 50), always went through Birtley before doubling back and heading to Washington.
I think it was the 531 initially and that went up Birtley Lane and turned left on to Portobello Road. 
The 551 replaced it and turned right on to Portobello Road, following the route the 82 takes to the Galleries.

The 25 route you mention going via Rickleton is very similar to the old 726. Except that just went straight down to Picktree, but originally continued to Witton Gilbert. I think by the time it was axed, it terminated at Chester. 

I'd personally look to not only increase bus patronage in the new estate, but improve the existing network within Elizabethville, Vigo and Barley Mow too. Not just skirting around the edges or serve tiny portions of the latter two either. 

If you live on the core of the 21 route, you're sorted. Except the majority of the population of Birtley don't live on the 21 route.

Birtley is just one town which suffers with poor provision which can be remedied so quickly, effectively and cheaply. There's many others who have needs and wants being ignored who could have their network remedied quickly, effectively and cheaply too. 
However, having seen the state of the displays on the Versa working the 58, I'd be tempted to suggest they continue concentrating on the titivating rather than actually doing work on improving the network :shrug: