67/69 will almost certainly be contenders too.

67 could be mostly covered by extending the 49/49a beyond Gateshead following the 51/52 route to Carr Hill Road then the 67 route to either the QE or Wardley. The 69 might prove to be a little more problematic as it is more likely be used by people travelling between, say, Whickham and Winlaton, or Whickham and the QE - rather than the entire route.

Perhaps the Whickham to Winlaton section could be lumped in with a revised 643 (Metrocentre - Whickham - Winlaton), or a rejiggle of the R routes?