(16 Mar 2014, 4:28 pm)Dan wrote Well that's certainly not the case for the Shields Economic services... Arguably one of the most troublesome services, combined with the high frequency "Laser" 35 and "Prince Bishops" 20 which surround the stand the Economic services use.

Oh i agree with that, also doesn't help the Laser serves 2 bus stands in Park lane... Wonder if they could drop the ones going to Hetton etc?

(16 Mar 2014, 4:28 pm)Dan wrote Well that's certainly not the case for the Shields Economic services... Arguably one of the most troublesome services, combined with the high frequency "Laser" 35 and "Prince Bishops" 20 which surround the stand the Economic services use.

That is the general rule for allocating services to stands. As the Economic services run at a combined 7 minutes frequency (every 20 minutes each), that shouldn't be a problem.

I fear for what will be foisted onto Hexham in the way of a 'bus station'.

The County Council seem set on selling the current site for development, and I suspect they have Ashington in mind (not as a location - but as a 'model') when they propose linear bus stops along Priestpopple.

The majority of the services using Hexham bus station start and terminate there - there are just a minority that are 'through' services (683, 685, 687 and 688 IIRC).

With the layover time requiring somewhere to park the bus between runs, linear stops on busy Priestpopple will create congestion, and the plan to use Benson's monument as a turning point confirms that the 'planners' have no understanding of Hexham and Battle Hill.

I would insist that these planners should spend a whole day observing the movements and see the chaos that occurs - particularly around 3.30pm to 4.15pm when the school buses coincide with the arrival/departure of the afternoon 685, 687, 688, X85, X84, 74, Ten etc. (not to mention the Tyne Valley and Howard Snaith rural services) and imagine how on-street linear bus stops would cause gridlock.

However, I fear that NCC has made up their mind and will push ahead with their plans regardless . . .

For me the bus station would be (only a few changes)

|-Stand A - Metro Replacement
|-Stand B - 23/24
|-Stand C - 61/X7
|-Stand D - 60
|-Stand E - 38/38C/238
|-Stand F - 42
|-Stand G - 700
|-Stand H - 39 (Pennywell)
|-Stand J - 2A,2C
|-Stand K - 8,78,78A
|-Stand L - 35/35A/35B/35C - Low Moorsley / Rainton Bridge / South Hetton
|-Stand M - X35/X36 (Newcastle)
|-Stand N - 20,20A,X20
|-Stand P - E1/E2/E6
|-Stand Q - 35/35A/35B/35C- South Shields
|-Stand R - 9/29
|-Stand S - 56/N56
|-Stand T - 29A/73/135/136
|-Stand V - 700/ X36 - to Enterprise Park

Tried to fit stagecoach back in but just doesn't work not with almost of these services now running every 10 mins

(16 Mar 2014, 4:30 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Using Middlesbrough (and Stagecoach again, will use Arriva again), stand allocations refer to where the bus is going (Stagecoach's 11/12 go off the same stand as they both go a similar route as far as the A174 Parkway and both serve the Parkway Centre, likewise the 36/37/38 use the same stand as they are a combined service, Arriva have now done the same by moving the peak time Ingleby Barwick/Kingsmead express to stand 12 with the 17/17a/17b as they are a group of services and to avoid confusing people from those areas that they get their off-peak bus off one stand and the peak express from a completely different one).

Like I said above, it's actually quite rare for a bus to use the 'wrong' stand in Middlesbrough as they normally go into the layover bays to wait until their stand is free. Of course, at present we have a service going off the wrong stand as its normal stand is still under repair but that should be resolved shortly then likelihood is the Park End stand will be taken out of use to fix the door on there.

So clearly, Middlesbrough Bus Station is a hell of a lot better than Park Lane Interchange.
Buses running late and having to use the wrong stands may only be an occasional issue for you down in Middlesbrough, but it's a completely different story here in Sunderland. Nine times out of ten, it has a knock-on effect, and at peak times more so, causes chaos.

(16 Mar 2014, 4:31 pm)Michael wrote Oh i agree with that, also doesn't help the Laser serves 2 bus stands in Park lane... Wonder if they could drop the ones going to Hetton etc?

That's also incredibly confusing for one-off visitors, I feel. I've always preferred that the 39 Pennywell-bound uses the Interchange whereas the Doxford Park-bound service doesn't.

(16 Mar 2014, 4:32 pm)Kuyoyo wrote That is the general rule for allocating services to stands. As the Economic services run at a combined 7 minutes frequency (every 20 minutes each), that shouldn't be a problem.

Arrival/departure times aren't at a combined 7 minute frequency, though. If a driver rather foolishly decides not to use a different stand when dropping off to then use the layover while he waits for the Economic service before him to disappear, it has a knock on effect. I've been in Park Lane when all three Economic services have been present - two occupying stands while one is on the layover. Down to late running again, and it's ridiculous. It really doesn't show signs that Park Lane is a good bus station.


// Side note: Moved the bus station discussion to this thread, as per original post about Durham.

(16 Mar 2014, 4:13 pm)Michael wrote What brings park lane down for me is the bend near the metro station which is between stands L and K... if buses are at stand K and there sticking out sometimes it can cause a back up...

I also agree with buses using different stands when a bus is on their original stands, the 20's and 35's are terrible for this as are the E's


Passengers of stagecoach wonder why they don't serve park lane (the likes of the 3,4 etc), its congestion and a badly designed bus station to me.

Its also like a wind turbine - i'm sure there was plans to cover it, this was years ago mind.

As the one on the nexus map of park lane is behind (like normal)

|-Stand A - Metro Replacement
|-Stand B - 23/24
|-Stand C - 61/X7
|-Stand D - 60
|-Stand E - 38/38C/238
|-Stand F - 42
|-Stand G - 700
|-Stand H - 39 (Pennywell)/73
|-Stand J - 2A,2C
|-Stand K - 8,78,78A
|-Stand L - 35/35A/35B/35C - Low Moorsley / Rainton Bridge / South Hetton
|-Stand M - X35
|-Stand N - 20,20A,X20
|-Stand P - E1/E2/E6
|-Stand Q - 35/35A/35B/35C- South Shields
|-Stand R - 9
|-Stand S - 56/N56
|-Stand T - 29/29A/135/136/X36 - Towards Newcastle
|-Stand V - X36 - buses between Interchange and Enterprise Park leave from stand V/700

Could they not move X36 to stand M for the one towards Newcastle - so Stand M is fully Fast Cats?

Michael I think stagecoach did right to omit Sunderland interchange when frequencies changed to 10 mins on most services. Can't remember issues at CBS but then again go ahead served park lane and busways as it was served CBS. Has anyone got any layouts of CBS FROM 80s or 90s.

(16 Mar 2014, 5:38 pm)Acky81 wrote Michael I think stagecoach did right to omit Sunderland interchange when frequencies changed to 10 mins on most services. Can't remember issues at CBS but then again go ahead served park lane and busways as it was served CBS. Has anyone got any layouts of CBS FROM 80s or 90s.

layouts of the old and refurbish central bus station are in the bygone era on the site

(16 Mar 2014, 5:38 pm)Acky81 wrote Has anyone got any layouts of CBS FROM 80s or 90s.

Here's some from 1985.

Multi-million pound plans to revive Durham North Road.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11...orth_Road/

(09 Apr 2014, 3:54 pm)Jimmi wrote Multi-million pound plans to revive Durham North Road.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11...orth_Road/

I like the idea, hopefully it goes ahead

(16 Mar 2014, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote So clearly, Middlesbrough Bus Station is a hell of a lot better than Park Lane Interchange.
Buses running late and having to use the wrong stands may only be an occasional issue for you down in Middlesbrough, but it's a completely different story here in Sunderland. Nine times out of ten, it has a knock-on effect, and at peak times more so, causes chaos.

Was hideous in Park Lane this evening.

Arriva's service 23 was running approximately 15 minutes late (arriving into Park Lane at roughly 16:15), with two Go North East service 60s, one Go North East service 61 and one Go North East service 42 entering soon after it. A free-for-all was had for the stands.

On the other side of the station, everything seemed to be running in twos. All at once; service 73, services 2A and 2C and services 8 and 78 tried to occupy three stands - blocking a service 35, service 20 and service E2. Oh, and two B9TLs on service 56 blocked off service X36 too - but this wasn't a major issue, as service X36 would have been stuck behind the aforementioned services anyway.

(16 Mar 2014, 4:12 pm)Kuyoyo wrote But how can you design bus stations for occasional 'issues' like late buses? The simple matter is you can't.

The issue with Middlesbrough is the fact some drivers (for all companies not just one) seem only to be able to try using Stand 11 (the one slap bang in the middle of the horseshoe) to set down (it is the official set-down stand) however when you've got buses turning up all the time, there's plenty more stands to be used. The only other problem is the doors - the 'In' and 'Out' way doesn't work in my mind and all stands (bar stand 1/2/20/21 as those bring issues) should have been done with one set of double doors as on Stand 11. Although the key problem is the fact the refurbishment was done on the cheap (hence the reason it was completed 2 weeks earlier than originally forecast and the door issues were there on the first day).

Late buses an "occasional issue"?!

(22 Apr 2014, 3:42 pm)Dan wrote Was hideous in Park Lane this evening.

Arriva's service 23 was running approximately 15 minutes late (arriving into Park Lane at roughly 16:15), with two Go North East service 60s, one Go North East service 61 and one Go North East service 42 entering soon after it. A free-for-all was had for the stands.

On the other side of the station, everything seemed to be running in twos. All at once; service 73, services 2A and 2C and services 8 and 78 tried to occupy three stands - blocking a service 35, service 20 and service E2. Oh, and two B9TLs on service 56 blocked off service X36 too - but this wasn't a major issue, as service X36 would have been stuck behind the aforementioned services anyway.

That's why i think that where stands H, J and K are, they could of being moved down more at the bus station when it was designed, complete nightmare sometimes at that end of the bus station.

I don't like where stands A-G are, not sure on reversing out, its not bad when it's quiet but when its busy and 5/6 buses come in at once.. different story.

Could they not move the 8/78/78A to stand H or V, then that way stand K is free and won't cause any back ups.

Do you think they could do something like Eldon Square, highlighting when a bay is free, and if the bus stand the bus is allocated to they could either; drop off people at a different stand for drop off only, or if a close bay is free drive to that one (unless its the same service, and if it is a service that is on time and the one in the bay is late, that bus could turn around and cover for the late bus).

The biggest problem with Durham Bus Station is the amount of buses has increased rapidly not to mention the size of the buses themselves. It is very rare that you will see a full size bus on stand F during the day as it is impossible to get it off the stand without hitting the wall if there are buses alongside you. Should a big bus be used on the 49 during the day, you will notice the driver will usually pull onto stand E or G deliberately to avoid this problem.

The rough plans for the new bus station show that it will be moved up towards the roundabout although I'm not sure how that would work with redirecting the A690.

Just a thought for the New Durham Bus Station, would it be a good idea to the have the Buses enter the New Bus Station via New Street, which is the side street which runs Parallel to the current Entrance to the Bus Station, and for that to work, you'd have to dig up the Pavement to then open up that Street on the A690, so Buses can Enter.

I would then have Anglian Home Improvements which is on the Corner of the Entrance to the Current Bus Station relocate elsewhere within the City Centre of Durham, so that Building can be knocked down, to further open up more Space for the New Bus Station.

And then Knock Down the Methodist Church and the Current Bus Station in Stages whilst the New Ones is in Development, Only way off top of my Head that I can see Durham Council moving the Bus Station closer to the Roundabout.

Has anybody got any links to the proposed plans for Durham Bus Station, I cant remember seeing any plans submitted to the council planning section.

(23 Apr 2014, 2:22 pm)cbma06 wrote Has anybody got any links to the proposed plans for Durham Bus Station, I cant remember seeing any plans submitted to the council planning section.

There's nothing on the Durham Planning Portal yet. The post code to check for is DH1 4SG.

(22 Apr 2014, 10:20 pm)benambro wrote Do you think they could do something like Eldon Square, highlighting when a bay is free, and if the bus stand the bus is allocated to they could either; drop off people at a different stand for drop off only, or if a close bay is free drive to that one (unless its the same service, and if it is a service that is on time and the one in the bay is late, that bus could turn around and cover for the late bus).

From observation last week Eldon Square was terrible. The taxi rank was virtually empty yet taxis were parked up along the kerb where buses traditionally dropped off, with the drivers just stood about chatting! If they moved into the rank the buses could have set down there rather than have to wait for a space in the bus station.

Durham bus station plans horrible and totally inappropriate - MP

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11...iate___MP/

The MP said she was not convinced Durham needed a new bus station

That statement shows just how much she knows about Durham despite being their MP...

(01 May 2014, 7:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote That statement shows just how much she knows about Durham despite being their MP...

Where's that 'like' button?

As someone who has used Durham Bus Station just about every day for the past 10 years, I can honestly say that Durham absolutely needs a new bus station. The current one is a complete embarrassment, poorly designed, and surrounded by empty units. The first thing that pedestrians are greeted with when going to enter, is a sheltered doorway full of smokers. Disgusting.

I'm in her constituency (and her Labour CLP branch), so I'll write to her about what she's written. I'm interested to see whether it's her own views, party views, or views of her constituents. We all know it should always be the latter, but usually doesn't work out that way.

Might be worth a handful of people attending if she does hold a public meeting too...

(01 May 2014, 7:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote That statement shows just how much she knows about Durham despite being their MP...

Obviously not.

For ages there has been buckets scattered across the bus station because water is leaking in (rain or Shine!)

There's not enough space to queue, if you want service 7 you often have to queue outside and the long queue for the 7 means the 20/20A stand is inaccessible.

What a welcome sight Durham Bus Station is to tourists seeing people in Addidas tracksuits huddled up smoking their tabs and drinking Strongbow blocking you from entering/exiting the bus station. The reactions I've seen from people staying at Eden Arms arriving in Durham Bus Station on service 7 is hilarious, many of them must be thinking, this can't be Durham!

(01 May 2014, 8:07 pm)Jimmi wrote Obviously not.

For ages there has been buckets scattered across the bus station because water is leaking in (rain or Shine!)

There's not enough space to queue, if you want service 7 you often have to queue outside and the long queue for the 7 means the 20/20A stand is inaccessible.

What a welcome sight Durham Bus Station is to tourists seeing people in Addidas tracksuits huddled up smoking their tabs and drinking Strongbow blocking you from entering/exiting the bus station. The reactions I've seen from people staying at Eden Arms arriving in Durham Bus Station on service 7 is hilarious, many of them must be thinking, this can't be Durham!

Yeah the queues are a bloody nightmare. The 7 and X1 being together often means the queue is almost out the door. Same issue with the 21 at the other end!

(01 May 2014, 8:12 pm)aureolin wrote Yeah the queues are a bloody nightmare. The 7 and X1 being together often means the queue is almost out the door. Same issue with the 21 at the other end!

Service 7 queue often is out the door.

Another annoyance is the stand next to the No. 7 stand (for Services 22/24/43) if those services arrive early or late and two buses want to be on that stand the bus pulls onto the No. 7 stand which means the 7 has to pull onto the wrong stand, or wait until it can get on any stand and depart late. Today is the first time in over a fortnight the 7 has stopped on the correct stand when I've boarded the service. One day the 7 had to pull onto a stand at practically the opposite end of the bus station.

Having been to Durham today, I managed to photo the plans that are on-display in the window and can be seen below

(02 May 2014, 8:33 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Having been to Durham today, I managed to photo the plans that are on-display in the window and can be seen below

I had a look myself and the plans not only have the potential of a new bus station, but more importantly, they'd really clean up North Road.

I'm confused how would Services 7 and X21 etc coming from Darlington and Bishop Auckland enter the Main Bus Station, would they have go up Sutton Street and around and down to Enter, as there is no Left Turn into the Bus Station if they were to continue down the Road as they do now towards the Roundabout which will obviously be Removed.

(02 May 2014, 9:38 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote I'm confused how would Services 7 and X21 etc coming from Darlington and Bishop Auckland enter the Main Bus Station, would they have go up Sutton Street and around and down to Enter, as there is no Left Turn into the Bus Station if they were to continue down the Road as they do now towards the Roundabout which will obviously be Removed.

I'd imagine they would go up to the traffic lights alongside the arch and turn right from what I can see.

(02 May 2014, 9:51 pm)northern156 wrote I'd imagine they would go up to the traffic lights alongside the arch and turn right from what I can see.

Yeah but there no Red Arrow on the Plans to indicate this, hence why I was baffled and assumed they'd go up and round, plus if they do to the Traffic Lights, what if there is Traffic waiting to go up the Road the 21 goes up towards Chester in the oncoming traffic lane it will no end of Havoc trying to turn Left into the Bus Station, And it'll be even worse at Peak Times.