Rail and bus services in County Durham will improve once a new devolution deal starts next year, a regional mayor has assured residents.

Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering from delayed or cancelled services across the transport network, with many turning up late for work or missing key hospital appointments. 

Northern leaders travelled to Newcastle on Monday to continue their calls for reform and better transport connectivity in the region.

A new North East devolution deal, which is due to start in May 2024, is set to give the region more money, greater powers, and create better opportunities including transport. 

As part of North East devolution the region will receive up to £563 million to help shape and improve local rail services across the region, as well as the ability to introduce bus franchising.

North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said change is much-needed and that the future devolution deal has the power to improve public services. But for now, thousands of people continue to be impacted by a decline in services. 

The Northern Echo: Improving connectivity across the seven local authority areas is a priority going forwardImproving connectivity across the seven local authority areas is a priority going forward (Image: The Northern Echo)

A single ticket across multiple transport networks including trains and buses is planned after the combined authority officially starts in May 2024. 

Improving connectivity across the seven local authority areas is a priority going forward, Mr Driscoll said, and the success of reopening the Northumberland Line is now being used as inspiration to reopen the mothballed Leamside Line. 

He said: “Connecting places is what gives people their life chances; to get to college or even just a night out. We want to reopen the Leamside Line from Ferryhill through Washington to get more places on the rail network. 

“When we look at the coalfield towns in County Durham the number one priority has to be that they get the same level of service as people living in the city. You shouldn’t be waiting for one bus an hour - why can’t the people of County Durham enjoy the same level of transport that the people of London do?”

Yet the devolution deal was opposed by Mr Driscoll’s Labour colleagues in County Durham, who fear a regional mayor, selected from one of the North East’s seven councils, won’t have the best interests of the county’s people and places at heart. 

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But Mr Driscoll moved to reassure residents that they won’t be forgotten. He said: “The people of County Durham have nothing to worry about, at least they won’t if I’m the mayor. 

“The idea of Durham having its own separate devolution deal would never have come with transport money and powers, the government made that really clear. If you live in Chester-le-Street or Easington you don’t want to get to the edge of Durham and not be able to go any further. 

“We need a total transport network. In reality, people just want to get to where they’re going reliably and affordably.”