Joy as Durham village bus services restored (From The Northern Echo)

Joy as Durham village bus services restored

6:05pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Durham City News By Mark Tallentire

RESIDENTS are celebrating after bus services were restored to their village.

In January, Arriva made a number of service cuts affecting settlements including Quarrington Hill, Bishop Middleham and Fishburn.

More than 50 Quarrington Hill residents turned out for a hastily-arranged public meeting to voice their anger at the changes.

Now, following work by Durham County Council, MPs Roberta Blackman-Woods and Phil Wilson and local councillors, a range of routes have been restored or extended.

The number 57 will again cover most of Quarrington Hill, the number 56 will again serve Bishop Middleham and services will be restored to Fishburn Terrace, in Fishburn.

The changes will take effect on Monday, March 19.

Dr Blackman-Woods, Durham City’s MP, said: "Residents, councillors and I have been working hard over the past few weeks in an attempt to restore these services for my constituents and I am very pleased that Arriva has decided to reverse its decision.

"Residents of Quarrington Hill, including pensioners, were left with having to walk over half a mile uphill to their nearest bus stop which was clearly intolerable, especially for the elderly.

"The changes made it very difficult for residents without their own cars to travel to work, take their children to school or even attend doctor’s appointments.

"Public transport is essential for many people living in Durham and Arriva’s decision was ill-conceived."

For full details, visit durham.gov.uk/busservicechanges