Current Public Transport Projects
Real Time Information
Real Time Bus Information systems have been
introduced to the Tyne Valley area during 2009 provide real time
information on bus services via mobile phone texting in the Tyne
Valley between Hexham and Newcastle. Real Time also gives updated
information via visual display units initially provided at Hexham
Bus Station and principle bus stops in Hill Street Corbridge
and at Front Street Prudhoe.
Investigations are currently taking place into the feasibility
of introducing Real Time Information to further areas of
Northumberland.
In Berwick upon Tweed a small scale Real Time Information
bus passenger information system has now been introduced at
principle bus stops in Golden Square, North
Road also within the Tesco Tweedmouth store.
Electronic Passenger Information can be access on mobile and
hand held devices via www.Nextbuses.mobi or by text
message, text "TRAVELINE" to 84268.
To find the bus times for a specific bus stop on mobile phones
without internet, send a text to traveline-txt number 84268
(Traveline text messages cost 25 pence each, plus the standard
network rate).
Type in the required unique bus stop code, within
Northumberland bus stop codes are preceded by "nld".
These can be found through entering the details of the journey
to be made at http://jplanner.travelinenortheast.info/ the
planner will show the code for each stop.
By telephone contacting the Traveline North East customer
call centre on 0871 200 2233 between the hours of 7.00 and 21.00
(calls cost 10 pence per minute from a BT landline, call costs from
mobile phones may vary and include the standard network rate).
Where individual bus timetable information is provided at the
bus stop this information also includes the bus stop code.
Hexham Bus Station
Investigations into a new bus station continue
to develop proposals to construct a new bus station within Hexham
Town Centre.
Ashington Blyth and Tyne
The County Council supports the principle of
reopening the Ashington Blyth and Tyne rail network to passenger
services.
This involves the lines from Newcastle to
Ashington via Northumberland Park, Blyth and Bedlington, and
possibly the section of line from Morpeth to Bedlington.
An application has been made to the North East
Regional Funding for around £45 million towards the South East
Northumberland Public Transport Corridor scheme which aims to
improve public transport services along the key inter-urban
corridor between South East Northumberland and the Tyne and Wear
City Region.
Work continues to complete the first stage
study. This involves an extensive programme of surveys to provide
data on journeys being made using current local bus and rail
services into, out of and through South East Northumberland.
Promoting the benefits of and to develop a successful business case
for a major public transport scheme.
The centrepiece of this scheme will be a
reopened Ashington Blyth and Tyne Rail Network, integrated with
local bus services.
Studies are continuing into the proposal, in
partnership with the Department for Transport.
Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership Visitor Information
Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership in
collaboration with Northumberland County Council to provide
additional visitor information at key settlements along the Tyne
Valley.
Installation of information display boards at
key locations including Wylam; Prudhoe; Stocksfield; Riding Mill;
Corbridge; Hexham; Haydon Bridge; Bardon Mill; Henshaw and
Haltwhistle providing visitors with details of local attractions,
services, health care and timetable information.
The County Council is continuing to work with
the Community Rail Partnership on projects to develop the potential
of the Tyne Valley Rail Line.
Alnmouth for Alnwick Station
The new car park adjacent to the northbound
platform at Alnmouth for Alnwick station has been completed.
The County Council undertook extensive works to create an
additional 61 car parking spaces for the station, plus 4 disabled
spaces and 2 for motorcycles. Car parking provision adjacent
to the platform also makes other improvements where possible,
including improving access for disabled users and creating
passenger drop off points.
The new car park has alleviated overcrowding within the existing
car park at the station, and the underlying cause of parking
problems in surrounding streets. The official opening took
place on 28 February 2011.
Past Project Information
Stocksfield Station
Broomley and Stocksfield Parish Council
successfully obtained funding from the Department for Transport in
obtaining funding for improvements to Stocksfield station car
parks.
- The improvements involve upgrading the car parks for level
access to the station platforms for people with mobility
difficulties.
- The Hexham bound platform car park is to be resurfaced and
extended, and the Newcastle bound platform car park will surfaced,
with provision for a small number of disabled parking bays.
The County Council is contributing finance to
the scheme in partnership with Broomley and Stocksfield Parish
Council. The the official opening was on 26
April 2010.
Plus 518 Kickstart Project 2005
In 2005, Northumberland County Council won £294,776 from the
Central Government's Kickstart scheme.
The Plus 518 delivers a high frequency, reliable service every
15 minutes between Morpeth and Newcastle upon Tyne and a half
hourly frequency into the village of Widdrington Station in the
Northumberland Coalfield in combination with existing bus
services.
The service continues to provide improved access to health;
education; employment; retail and leisure facilities on a
commercial basis.
Blyth Connects Urban Bus Challenge Project
In 2001, Northumberland County Council won £1.1 million from the
Central Government Urban Bus Challenge.
- Blyth Connects provided improved public transport links to and
from Blyth.
- Developed mini transport hubs to facilities interchange between
bus, taxi, rail and cycle.
- Improved main bus corridors within Blyth and Cramlington,
- Enhanced travel opportunities and service information,
- Facilitated efficient bus service operation,
- Refurbished Blyth bus station
- Sought to integrate bus and taxi service provision.
Blyth Connects Monitoring and Evaluation Final Report of the
three year project, ending in January 2006
(Click here for Document link
to final report)
Ashington Access Urban Bus Challenge Project
In 2002, Northumberland County Council won
£585,000 from the Central Government Urban Bus Challenge.
Ashington Access provided improved public
transport links to and from Ashington.
- Enhanced access to sites of employment
(particularly local Business Parks); and healthcare facilities for
local residents. To address problems of higher than average
unemployment and poor health experienced in Ashington.
The Ashington Access Monitoring and Evaluation
Final Report of the three year project, ending in July 2006
(Click here for Document link
to final report)
Bus Meets Train Rural Bus Challenge Project
In 2003, Northumberland County Council won £865,542 from the
Central Government's Rural Bus Challenge. The Bus Meets Train rural
transport project; focused on three rail interchanges at Alnmouth
for Alnwick, Hexham and Prudhoe stations and enhance bus
connections to them.
- Provided improved waiting environments at Alnmouth for Alnwick
Rail Station and increased public transport information
provision.
- Developed town and longer distance buses at the transport
interchange opened in 2004 at Hexham Railway Station.
- Developed a new interchange at Prudhoe Railway Station
opened in May 2007, with extra stopping trains; improving links
with local buses.
(Click here for Document link
to final report)
