HAVING recently moved to Stanhope, County Durham – part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is also designated as one of only 33 geoparks in Europe – I am enjoying exploring the area.
Unfortunately, my husband and I don’t have a car. I can wander up and down Weardale with no problem, thanks to the 101 bus. However, if I want to go over the county border into Cumbria, or Northumberland, to see the remaining two-thirds of the geopark, I can’t do that easily.
For example, to get to Alston, 30 miles away, is easy by car.
However, by bus, I have to go to Bishop Auckland to Newcastle and then take two further buses westward – more than four hours one way.
Should I want to travel south-westwards I have a similar long journey. It is crazy there is no public transport from one side of the geopark to the other.
I accept there are county and regional boundaries, but this is a very important area, and it is not being served well for people without cars.
I am sure if the authorities tried, they could come up with an answer to this vexing and frustrating situation. How about it, Durham, Cumbria, and Northumberland? Are you up to the challenge?
Carol Noble, Stanhope, Co Durham.
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