A new daily bus service linking Hexham with Alston has begun operating, alongside a series of changes intended to improve public transport connections across the Tyne Valley.
Northumberland County Council has worked with Go North East to introduce new and extended routes following concerns about unreliable and infrequent services in the wider Hexham area. The changes include adjustments to the 681, 682 and AD122 services, with the latter now rebranded as the 122.
New Hexham to Alston connection
The new 691 service runs once a day in each direction between Hexham and Alston. It operates in the early morning and late afternoon, allowing vehicles to travel between Alston and the Go North East depot in Hexham.
Although the timetable is limited to one journey each way per day, the new route creates a direct public transport link between the two towns and supports onward travel between Northumberland and neighbouring Cumbria.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member for public transport, said: “It's great to see more public transport being provided for the Tyne Valley area.” He said the routes would help residents and visitors travel more easily for work and leisure.
Changes to services around the Tyne Valley
The 681 is now operating between Alston, Haltwhistle and Walltown up to every two hours from Monday to Saturday. The timetable includes some earlier and later journeys.
Reay’s Coaches is providing the HW1 service between Walltown and Birdoswald. Timed connections are available at Walltown for passengers travelling from Birdoswald, Gilsland and Longbyre towards Haltwhistle and beyond.
The 682 has been extended from West Woodburn to Otterburn, creating public transport access to Hexham. The 680 service serving Acomb village is unchanged.
The 122 has a slightly revised timetable and is operationally linked to the 681. The operator and council say the wider changes are intended to make it easier for people across the Tyne Valley to connect with employment, leisure destinations and neighbouring communities.
The changes follow a public meeting in Hexham organised by Green Party councillor Antonia Azócar-Nevin. More than 40 residents attended to raise concerns about bus services across the wider Hexham area.
Councillor Wearmouth said he looked forward to seeing the benefits of the changes. Full timetables are available on the Go North East website, which passengers should check before travelling.