GNE are possibly missing a trick! Over the last 10 years there has been a lot of housing development on the east side of Shotley Bridge - the 'racecourse estate, Elm Park and the Woodlands (on the hospital site). The nearest bus is the Red Kite 45 which at best, is a 10 min. walk down a steep hill - and up on the return.
GNE could solve this problem at no additional cost, no alteration of running times and the opportunity to pick up additional passengers.
Presently the 45 & 46 run from Consett to Shotley Bridge by different routes providing a half-hour service on each. They then come together in Shotley Bridge to provide a 15 min service through to Newcastle.
If the 45 continued as at present to provide a half-hour service via Ebchester and Hamsterley Bank Top, the 46 could operate from the Kings Head, Shotley Bridge, up Snows Green Road and on to Daisy Hill (B6310), Medomsley Cross-roads and Medomsley Village. Then via Longclose Bank to rejoin the normal route at Hamsterley Mill. Bus stops with raised kerbs are all in place (for school services) and the running time would be exactly the same.
This alteration would provide a service for the Daisy Hill area of Shotley Bridge and a direct service to Metrocentre for The Dene and Medomsley. It is unlikely that a half-hour service through Ebchester would cause any loss of passengers - they would simply adjust to the new timetable and any passengers picked up between Snows Green and Hamsterley Mill would be a bonus. Whats not to like?
Sorry its long-winded but you guys who know the area will see where I'm coming from!
RE: Go North East: Service Suggestions