Darlington
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Villagers given say on future of bus route
VILLAGERS who campaigned to save their vital bus service have come up with options for the future of the route.
A number of options for the timetable, route and running days have been put forward for a new service between Darlington and Sadberge.
Residents at an open meeting to discuss the future of the buses have also agreed to increase patronage of the service in a bid to safeguard it in the future.
The meeting was called after changes to the funding of the service were made in Darlington Borough Council's budget.
The council's original proposals were to cut £132,000 from its annual budget because of the low numbers who used the service.
However, users of the services, Sadberge Parish Council and Brian Jones, borough councillor for the ward, campaigned to save the services.
The borough council's final budget allocated £80,000 for the service.
Two services currently run to the village, one from Monday to Saturday, the other from Monday to Friday.
Three different options were put before the residents, including two separate two-hourly routes running side-by-side, and two similar ideas including a shuttle service to the surgery in Middleton St George.
Villagers voted on the first option, which will now be put before the borough council. It runs six days a week between 8am and 7pm.
Simon Holdsworth, the council's transport policy manager, said: "It is a conventional solution, easy to understand and ticks most of the boxes."
Bus companies have already been approached to make bids to tender for the route.
One of the services will run between Darlington and Sadberge via North Road and Whinbush Way, before going on to other villages including Great Stainton, Stillington, Whitton, Redmarshall, Bishopton and Little Stainton. The second will run between Darlington and Sadberge via Yarm Road and Middleton St George.
Mr Holdsworth said: "I would love this run to be profitable but unless there is a huge groundswell of enthusiasm from everyone, it won't be."
The current service is expected to run until June 2008, with the new service taking over when it the contract is won and the timetable finalised.
5:24pm Friday 9th May 2008
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