(17 Jul 2026, 3:30 pm)Adrian wrote If, for arguments sake, your theoretical Hartlepool to the Metrocentre & Newcastle service had plans to serve Peterlee, then NEMSA's delivery body may see that as taking passengers away from their 23 service and refuse it. If it's *only* serving the Metrocentre & Newcastle, aside from Hartlepool, then I can't see any reason why they wouldn't make an exemption. Unless they were intending to do something stupid like try and compete with NEMSA services between Metrocentre & Newcastle.

They might decline it on rail grounds though mind, depending on what devolution comes along.

Personally can't see where the demand is coming from anyway as the vast majority of people are going to use the hourly semi express train anyway to the Metrocentre since it's a special treat. 

Mind I hope medium term they can get the Durham Coast, Morpeth and Tyne Valley services under the POP Network like the Northumberland Line. Would be a game changer for public transport imo.