U-turn on bus route cutbacks (From The Northern Echo)

U-turn on bus route cutbacks

10:43am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Traffic & Transport News

U-TURN: Arriva has worked with Durham County Council to bring back several routes

A COMMUTER who faced having to quit her job of 35 years because of bus service cuts is celebrating a U-turn.

Gail Hardy was preparing to hand in her notice at Jewson builders merchant, where she is a personal assistant, after the bus she used to get to work was axed.

However, Durham County Council has worked with bus company Arriva to bring back several routes from March 19.

Since the number 56 service was re-routed to miss Bishop Middleham, where she lives, Ms Hardy, 54, who has asthma and a heart condition, has had to take two buses, getting to work in Gilesgate, Durham, an hour late.

From March 19, the 56 will call at Bishop Middleham again, leaving at 6.35am and 7.38am, arriving in Durham at 7.17am and 8.29am respectively.

Service 57 is also being extended to restore buses to the Hawthorn Crescent area of Quarrington, and services will be restored to the Fishburn Terrace area of Fishburn.

Mrs Hardy said: “I am delighted.

My bosses have been very supportive, but this has been very stressful for me.”

Mrs Hardy also thanked Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson for his involvement after he took the issue, and a 1,000-name petition from villagers in Trimdon and Fishburn, to Parliament.

Mr Wilson said: “These new services are very good news, but are only a partial victory.

“There are still other routes which would benefit people that we will be calling for.”

County councillor Neil Foster said: “These bus services provide an essential lifeline to our communities.

“I am pleased we have been able to restore some of these links, and we will continue to work with bus operators to ensure people retain access to services wherever possible.”

For full details, go to durham.gov.uk/busservice changes