(02 Aug 2013, 5:44 pm)Andreos1 wrote Also, can anyone explain why ALL Kibblesworth services use the turning circle?
As far as I'm aware, the road beyond Kibblesworth which comes out just near the Tanfield Railway/Potters Wheel would be suitable for a bus.
Is it worth considering an extension from Kibblesworth to either Stanley or via Sunniside to Whickham/Metrocentre?
The road beyond Kibblesworth climbs up a bank and joins a road running between High Urpeth and Sunniside. I use that road quite often as a shortcut while at work. Between the Kibblesworth junction and Sunniside, I can't see any reason as to why (apart from being scarcely populated) buses would be unable to use that road. There are a few bends here and there (and a few potholes) but the road bi-directional and certainly wide enough to accommodate large vehicles. In contrast, Folly Lane in Greenside is an unmarked single lane that most would consider unsuitable for large vehicles, but, as we all know, buses use that.
It might be useful to have a bus running towards Sunniside and towards the Metrocentre using that road. However, I would be less inclined to route a bus to Stanley because it has to double back on itself at Sunniside before heading towards its destination. There would be no opportunity to pick-up passengers between Kibblesworth and Kip Hill with the exception of Tanfield Railway, or at a push, Birkhead Secret Gardens.