(24 Mar 2026, 11:21 am)Storx wrote See I get your ideas there but personally I'd go further.
Personally I'd look at an express Newcastle network that looks something like:
It creates an easy network with the vast majority of places getting 2 BPH towards Newcastle without any of the confusion and both Stanley and Consett getting 2 buses to Gateshead aswell and a dedicated Whickham Express. As much as the X45/47 has it's problems the 6/X30/X31/X32/X70/X71/X71A/X72/X73 mess is even worse; it's just completely confusing which one goes where. Just get it nice and tidy.
The rest of the links, will be done with some local services, probably similar to the 43/44 from yesteryear which would do Burnopfield etc.
Its not bad of a suggestion however. Sorry if I do not get your routes correct from the map you've drawn. Just guessing.
- Residents of Castleside most prefer the Durham connection. They tried the 78 down there after withdrawing the 16 from the area and they did not want a route to Sunderland. so that reverted.
- The Red Route that serves Medomsley Edge & the B6309 Road is already covered by the X71 (Again sorry if its your redoing the entire lot) so it would be better if it goes down Ebchester Bank since they have had no bus since September 2022 when both 47/47A were taken away and again Medomsley itself has the X71.
- Agree that the X45 should mainly stay the same. However, that makes Laburnium Avenue in Blackhill miss out on their Newcastle bus. I think the 16 Should instead serve Number One & Durham Road even if it has to go back up Medomsley Road
- People of Chopwell will probably want a bus into Town (Consett) so I don't know if your cutting the Consett - Chopwell route or having it back into the split route of the 47 & V9.
- The Pink Route from Consett to Stanley is just a near dup of the 16 (to the Jolly Drovers) and the 78 into Stanley.
- I lastly take that the Yellow line in Whickham is to cover the basically the whole lot that serves the area. That will need one to go Swalwell Lidl & Metrocentre if they want the quick connection to miss the stupidly long 301.