From bits and pieces I've been hearing, don't be surprised if Arriva look to invest more in Blyth and Ashington in the coming years than Stockton and Redcar. They see opportunities in franchising in the North East and want to be ready to take advantage of it.

There is little incentive to invest in Redcar and Stockton at the moment. Passenger loads are good, car ownership lower than the catchment area of Blyth/Ashington routes, and no issues with clean air zones. The business case for investment in the North East is at the Northumberland/Newcastle end.