(23 Jun 2013, 7:41 pm)aureolin wrote There are no real benefits of the route between Washington and Heworth either. From what you've written it just runs the M1 route. Taking into account the 43 mins it would take between Washington and Newcastle, it would make it a slower service than the X1? So no real justification there either.
The only potential benefits I can see are: another fast link between Heworth and Newcastle (aside from the X3/X9/X10?). another link between Chester Le Street and Washington.
It's obviously never going to really happen - just a suggestion. It would give those living between Washington and Heworth an alternative link to Newcastle (faster than the 56 from Concord and doesn't require a change at Heworth to the Metro). Maybe the extension to Chester-le-Street would be a bit pointless, but extending to Waterview Park could help create a link that was lost with the withdrawl of the M2 between Washington and Waterview Park.
(23 Jun 2013, 7:42 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote I would say
Newcastle to Heworth - 15 Minutes
Heworth to Washington Galleries - 15 Minutes
Washington Galleries to Chester le Street via Motorway - 10 Minutes - Lambton/Ayton - 15 Minutes
In total the journey time is between 40-45 Minutes - Used the X9/X10 and M1 timetables to work out timings, also just looked at the 21 timetable and that takes 38 Minutes from Newcastle to Chester le Street also the X21 from Newcastle takes 30 Minutes.
So it could be quite a decent service timings wise.
I doubt 15 minutes Newcastle to Heworth would be doable unless it did Gateshead High Street instead of the Interchange - would only add a few minutes though. Other than that, thanks for your feedback!
