Anger over plans to cut buses to estate
Arriva bus at Northumbrian Road, Cramlington.
RESIDENTS are up in arms over plans to axe a Cramlington estate’s night-time public transport links.
Arriva has announced changes to services in south east Northumberland, with many buses being withdrawn or having their routes altered.
From Sunday, Cramlington’s Northburn estate will see many of its bus services scrapped.
Cramlington North county councillor Wayne Daley said: “It is a shocking state of affairs.
“Since the plans were published, many people, including myself, have expressed concerns about the changes. However, the details of specific routes are now becoming apparent, and I am horrified to learn that Northburn will cease to have any public transport from 9.30 in the evening.
“This is a shocking development and will mean people who work in retail or who finish late will no longer be able to get a bus home.
“It is unbelievable that Arriva has effectively ended public transport after 9.30pm in one of the most populated estates in the area, with over 4,500 people now being denied any opportunity to use buses.”
Brian Davison, a resident of the Northburn estate, said: “I’m very disappointed that Arriva are to stop servicing Horton Drive in Cramlington after 9.30pm.
“Horton Drive cuts through a very large housing estate with six stops along this part of the current No 11 bus route.
“Residents who are planning to have an evening out in Blyth will in future need to travel home by taxi.”
Fellow Northburn resident Chris Conway said: “I think it is absolutely shambolic. It’s disgusting.
“Are older people meant to walk from the village to Northburn after 9.30pm?”
Nick Knox, area managing director for Arriva North East, said: “It is important that we review our networks to ensure that we are consistently serving the majority of the people with the best possible routes and frequencies.”
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Weather for Blyth
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
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Wind direction: North west
