(Yesterday, 7:42 pm)Malarkey wrote You could easily merge the 2, 4, 56, 57, 58 and 84/85 into three or four core services linking Newcastle, Washington and Sunderland via local estates with a few suggestions below.
Sunderland via Washington to Newcastle
55 - via Southwick, Hylton Castle, Nissan, Sulgrave, Concord, Donwell, Blackfell, Oxclose, Washington, Lambton, Ayton, Birtley, Wrekenton, Q.E. Hospital and Gateshead
Sunderland via Washington to Newcastle
56 via Southwick, Hylton Castle, Nissan, Sulgrave, Concord, Donwell, Springwell, Wrekenton, Q.E. Hospital and Gateshead
Sunderland via Washington to Newcastle
57 - via Royal Hospital, Hastings Hill, Penshaw, Barnwell Estate, Fatfield, Harraton, Lambton, Glebe, Washington Village, Barmston, Concord, Usworth, Wardley, Heworth, Leam Lane Estate, Whitehills Estate, Ellen Wilkson Estate, Q.E. Hospital and Gateshead.
Newcastle via Houghton and Washington to Sunderland
58 - via Gateshead, Felling Square, Windy Nook, Whitehills Estate, Leam Lane Estate, Heworth, Follingsby Park, Usworth, Concord, Albany, Washington, Glebe, Biddick, Fatfield, Barnwell, Shiney Row, Bournmoor, Fencehouses, Houghton and A690 Durham Road.
Also with you mentioning merging the 57 into other Gateshead Locals I think the 53/54 would be a great suggestion opening up direct connections from/to local estates into Gateshead and Newcastle.
53/54 - Wardley, Heworth, Leam Lane Estate, Whitehills Estate, Ellen Wilkson Estate, Q.E. Hospital, Gateshead, Quayside, Newcastle, Bensham, Saltwell Park, Gateshead, Q.E. Hospital, Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Whitehills Estate, Leam Lane Estate, Heworth and Wardley.
If anything, i'd merge the 57 with the 51/52 send that back to Newcastle, that pretty much allows the 57s full withdrawal or the other option is merge the 57 in with the 93/94