Concerns raised over review to rural bus service
CONSULTATION LAUNCHED INTO VIABLIITY OF ROUTES
COUNCILLORS in a stretch of Northumberland have voiced their concern over proposed changes to a vital bus service in the area.
Go North East have announced a consultation on plans to reduce off-peak services on the Tyne Valley 10 service, as well as the 10A and 10B.
The route carries passengers between Hexham and Newcastle, taking in the likes of Corbridge, Riding Mill and Stocksfield as well as parts of Gateshead.
The transport operator is consulting on changes as part of wider cuts to services across the North East, and say there are “some journeys, particularly early morning, in the evening and on Sundays which do not carry enough customers to cover the costs of operating them”.
A statement from Go North East added: “We are working closely with local authorities on any possible replacement options, noting budget challenges.
“Work continues to rebuild passenger numbers across our network, but we’re now at the point where it’s clear some services won’t recover to the point of being viable without changes or external support.
“Given the huge changes in the way many people are working and living, including things like home working and online shopping, it is only right that services are adapted to efficiently meet new patterns of demand.”
But councillors in the Tyne Valley are concerned over the impact of the proposed cuts, with the number 10 one of the only buses to reach many communities. Coun Gordon Stewart, who represents Prudhoe South on Northumberland County Council, called on all residents to have their say in the consultation. He said: “Bus travel is a lifeline for many individuals, businesses.
“This is such an important issue in all areas be they rural or urban and I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation looking at the short, medium and long-term future of our the service.”
Hexham West councillor Derek Kennedy added: “The 10 is one of the key bus routes linking Hexham and all the towns and villages to Newcastle. It is probably the most popular bus service of all because of the route it takes.
“Newcastle City Council are trying to deter people from using private vehicles to go into the city but if we’re reducing public transport that doesn’t lend itself to that ambition.”
And Corbridge councillor Nick Oliver said: “After the cancellation earlier in the year of most of the X85 services, I’m disappointed to see another consultation by Go North East on reducing the 10 bus service.
“These are important local bus services for Corbridge residents and they are also essential to meeting climate change targets.”
The news comes just days after the county council’s cabinet praised the Government for awarding the North East £163.5m in funding from the Department for Transport to improve bus services across the region.
Council leader Glen Sanderson said: “We have long campaigned for bus services in the county to be reliable, frequent and easy to use.
“What we don’t want happening is to take a step backwards and see bus services being lost and we will continue to collaborate with Go North East to minimise any disruption to the Northumberland bus network in what are very challenging times for the industry, while continuing to stress the importance of rural services – not just for residents but also for the thousands of visitors.”