Plans set out for better bus routes

We're asking what people think of proposals to improve bus services on four key routes in our city.
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A red bus waiting at a junction in Newcastle city centre with people crossing the road and tall stone buildings on either side of the street

Proposals for creating more efficient and reliable bus routes in Newcastle are being set out as part of a regional improvement plan.

Newcastle City Council has announced proposals as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which aims to get more people using the bus by improving service reliability across key bus corridors.

There are four key bus route corridors included in the current proposals, which are:

  • Wallsend corridor, including Shields Road and New Bridge Street, east of Central Motorway;
  • Central Motorway and Stamfordham Road corridor;
  • Westgate Road corridor; 
  • Seaton Burn corridor, including Great North Road.

Over the coming weeks, residents, businesses, community groups and bus passengers directly affected by the proposals will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the initial ideas. This input will shape the final plans. 

The initial proposals for these key routes include:

  • Enhanced bus priority measures, such as new or improved bus lanes, to reduce delays for buses at peak travel times;
  • Improved road safety features, including new crossing facilities to make it easier and safer for people to access bus stops.

Newcastle City Council has drawn up its plans as part of the North East Combined Authority’s BSIP initiative, which is supported by £163.5 million in government funding.

Cllr Juna Sathian, Cabinet Member for Climate and Transport at Newcastle City Council, said: “This is all about making bus services more reliable and more appealing so that existing and new passengers will make public transport their first choice for more of their journeys.

“These proposals are focused on developing and enhancing bus priority measures and improving road safety so that people have better access and confidence in public transport.

“We are looking at four key routes across the city as part of the BSIP programme and we are asking people for their views on our initial proposals before we put forward our final plans.”

Further information can be found at www.newcastle.gov.uk/bsip