(10 Jun 2022, 9:42 am)Adrian wrote I think this is where the lack of a legislative definition of what is a 'reasonable distance' to travel, following a compulsory relocation, will come into play. Washington is clearly the closest depot, but comes with its own challenges; inability to reach it by public transport for an early shift (oh the irony) and the lack of parking for those who may now need to drive in.I can't see the drivers staying. GNE might be able to make use of a staff shuttle to tempt drivers, but I know of a few staff that currently live within walking distance or a ten minute ride on the 21. They aren't going to want to leave the house 30 minutes earlier or get home 30 minutes later from July for the same pay.
Riverside has pretty much unlimited staff parking, but how many of those nasty, congestion creating, private cars would be going on the road, if moving staff from Chester-le-Street to there? I can't see many opting to take 2 or 3 buses to and from work, so the private car is the natural choice.
Even then though, like you say, the desire to sit on the bypass or Low Fell in traffic is going to be far from desirable, and could very likely be argued as unreasonable commuting distance.
RE: Closure of Chester-le-Street Depot