Residents and visitors in Hexham and the wider Tyne Valley are being offered new and revised bus connections under a package of changes welcomed by Northumberland County Council.
The most significant development for Hexham is the introduction of the 691, a new service linking the town with Alston. It will run once a day in each direction, with an early-morning journey and a late-afternoon journey. The council says the service will also allow vehicles to move between Alston and Go North East’s depot in Hexham.
The changes affect services 681, 682 and AD122, as well as introducing the new route. They are intended to provide additional public transport for people living, working or visiting communities across the Tyne Valley, with connections that can support onward travel into neighbouring Cumbria.
What is changing on services near Hexham?
The 681 will operate up to every two hours from Monday to Saturday between Alston, Haltwhistle and Walltown. Some earlier and later journeys will also be available.
Service 682 has been extended from West Woodburn to Otterburn. The extension is designed to give Otterburn public transport access to Hexham, widening the network available to residents in the west of the county.
In nearby Acomb village, the 680 will continue to run at its existing frequency. That means the latest package does not change the stated frequency of the service serving Acomb.
The AD122 has been renamed 122 and will operate to a slightly revised timetable. It is now operationally linked to the 681, connecting the two services within the revised network.
Connections around Walltown and Hadrian’s Wall
A separate HW1 service, operated by Reay’s Coaches, will run between Walltown and Birdoswald. Timed connections at Walltown will be available for passengers travelling from Birdoswald, Gilsland and Longbyre towards Haltwhistle and beyond.
For passengers planning journeys, the council says full timetables are available through the Go North East website. The precise departure times are therefore available from the operator rather than being set out in the council’s announcement.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member responsible for public transport, said the revised routes would help people travel for work and leisure, as well as connect with destinations beyond the county.
“It's great to see more public transport being provided for the Tyne Valley area. “It's so important we have these routes in place for residents and visitors alike helping them get around more easily and connect them to places for both work and leisure while allowing onward travel to neighbouring Cumbria. “I look forward to seeing the benefits these changes will bring.”
Northumberland County Council published its welcome for the improvements on 30 July 2026. The changes were delivered through work between the council and operator Go North East.