Northumberland residents and visitors will soon benefit from improvements to the local bus network following changes driven by Northumberland County Council. 

  

This month, three new or enhanced bus routes are to operate in the county which will improve connectivity to services, education, employment and tourist destinations. 

  

From Monday March 24, the Arriva X30 service from Blyth and Newsham to Regent Centre and Newcastle will run every 30 minutes, Monday to Fridays during commuter times and then hourly during Monday to Friday and Saturday daytimes. This service currently only runs hourly during weekday commuter times.  

  

From Saturday March 29, the Arriva 419 service will run twice a day on Saturdays linking the villages of Cambo, Hartburn, Mitford, Scots Gap and Whalton with Morpeth as well as providing connections to Wallington Hall and Bolam Lake Country Park.  
 

These villages don't currently have any bus services and the council has been lobbying for several years to provide one.  
 

From Saturday March 29, the 693 service will restore a regular bus link to Kielder after an absence of several years. Buses will run every two hours on Saturdays between Kielder and Bellingham, connecting there with the existing Go North East 680 to and from Hexham. This service will be run by Telford's Coaches. 

  

The services will be funded through the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding which aims to improve local transport connections, make travel more affordable and grow the economy.   
 

Single fares are capped at £2.50 for adults and £1 for under 22s. A wide range of multi-journey ticket options will be available too, offering unlimited bus travel for one day from only £3 for under 22s and £5 for adults. OAP/Disabled concession passes will also be valid for free travel. 

 

Councilor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council said:  

“We have worked closely with local communities, parish and county councillors to identify new and improved bus routes and lobbied hard to the government for funding to provide them.  

 

“This is just a first step – I want to see more bus services across the most rural areas of the county and I will be pressing hard for this. 

“Bus travel can be a more reliable, punctual, greener and cheaper way to travel, and it is a lifeline for many residents enabling them to access services, work or friends.  
 

“We hope the new bus services will be a welcome addition to residents living in these communities. " 
 

All services will operate for a 12- month trial period and if they are well used and popular they will continue to operate.  

 

For details of the new routes and times go to  http://www.nexus.org.uk