Service Changes in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear
Sunday 3rd November 2024
Customers are advised that Arriva will be making changes to a number of services from Sunday 3rd November. These changes come following a further punctuality review to our network of services between Newcastle and Blyth.
Additionally, we are pleased to announce that following a successful recruitment drive across our depots, we will be reinstating the higher weekday frequencies on services 35, X21 and X22 which we temporarily reduced in April of this year.
We will also be making some slight changes to other services following requests from Northumberland County Council and National Trust.
Service 35 – Newbiggin to Ashington and Morpeth
From Sunday 3rd November, we will be reintroducing the higher weekday frequency of this service. This will see buses once again operate up to every 20 minutes on a weekday. Times will largely be the same as what was in place before the temporary reduction put in place in April, however afternoon peaks will see some slight adjustments. There will be no changes to the current weekend timetables, with Saturday and Sundays continuing to operate as now.
Service 415 – Morpeth to Swarland and Alnwick
Following feedback received from Northumberland County Council, a revised timetable will be introduced. This is to allow for greater travel opportunities for the residents of the villages adjacent to the A1, with an earlier arrival into Morpeth allowing onwards travel to Newcastle, similarly a later departure heading north out of Morpeth.
Service 460 – Alnwick to Rennington and Ellingham
A revised timetable and route will be introduced following Northumberland County Council requests.
Times are adjusted to allow easier connections between the 460 and X15 / X18 services in Alnwick, allowing customers to connect for onward journeys south towards Morpeth, with the AM journey operating roughly 15 minutes earlier.
Additionally, the service will now divert from Denwick via the A1 and Willowburn Retail Park, providing easier access to the shops and leisure facilities on the southern edge of the town before reaching the Town Centre.
Service X7 – Newcastle to Seaton Delaval and Blyth
Following a further review of punctuality on this service, we will be making significant changes to the timetable seeing an additional resource added to the network. They’ll be no changes to the number of journeys nor route taken; however, times will be adjusted with additional time added throughout the route in key hot spots, especially in the afternoon peak times. Later evening journeys will operate up to 5 minute later in places
Service X8 – Newcastle to Cramlington and Blyth via South Beach
Following a further review of punctuality on this service, we will be making significant changes to the timetable seeing an additional resource added to the network. They’ll be no changes to the number of journeys nor route taken; however, times will be adjusted with additional time added throughout the route in key hot spots. Later evening journeys will operate up to 5 minute later in places
Service X9 – Newcastle to Cramlington and Blyth via Cowpen
Following a further review of punctuality on this service, we will be making significant changes to the timetable seeing an additional resource added to the network, which will allow us to adjust how this service currently operates to increase reliability. They’ll be no changes to the number of journeys nor route taken; however, times will be adjusted with additional time added throughout the route in key hot spots.
Service X10 / X11 – Newcastle to Cramlington and Blyth via Newsham
After an extensive review of the punctuality of these services, we have introduced a revised timetable, which also includes the use of additional resources to ensure we are as punctual as possible. We will continue to operate up every 15 minutes throughout the common sections of route though. Additional time has been added into the services around peak times in the key hot spots of delays to the service.
A new earlier journey is introduced on a Sunday between Blyth and Newcastle, following requests.
Service X14 – Newcastle to Morpeth and Thropton
Following the introduction of the winter season opening hours at Cragside, we will be reducing the number of journeys which enter the main grounds. However, we will still provide several journeys in each direction allowing over 4 hours to explore what is known as Britian’s original smart home.
Service X15 – Newcastle to Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick
A slightly revised timetable will introduced on a Monday to Friday, with the current 1520 departure from Morpeth towards Alnwick operating up to 5 minutes earlier between Morpeth and Alnwick Leisure Centre. Additionally the 0725 departure from Berwick upon arrival at Willowburn Retail Park will now extend to Taylor Drive, allowing easier access to Duchess’s Community High School for the students on board.
Service X18 – Newcastle to Morpeth, Alnwick, Seahouses and Berwick
A slightly revised timetable will introduced on a Monday to Friday, with the current 1405 departure from Berwick additionally serving Willowburn Retail Park before arrival into Alnwick Town Centre, this is to allow easier access for students travelling from Duchess’s Community High School south towards Amble. The departure from Alnwick Bus Station will remain the same at 1618.
Additionally, the current 2228 departure from Newcastle which terminates at Amble, will now extend to Alnwick on a Monday to Saturday.