Transport infrastructure in North West Durham is, to put it bluntly, lacking.
Places like Crook, Willington, Weardale, Dipton, Burnhope and Burnopfield have limited bus services, particularly at the weekends and in the evenings. The number of constituents who have got in touch with me about this is a concern – people sometimes wait up to an hour for a bus and, in rural areas, the public transport can be non-existent. Meanwhile, we have no dual carriage ways or main line railway stations in the constituency.
Local Bus Links
I am campaigning to improve the bus services across the constituency and have brought the Transport Secretary to North West Durham in order to see these issues himself. I have spoken in Parliament, and with both Arriva and North East about their timetables and how they operate to serve the community. I’ve pushed them on their long-term plans to improve local transport and look forward to continuing to work with them as we work to deliver on what the area needs.
A New Rail Line
North West Durham doesn’t have a rail line, which is why I launched a campaign to see a new trainline built between Consett and Newcastle/The Tyne. I have won the support of ¾ of constituents and both the Transport Secretary and the Prime Minister. As a result of my campaign, the Government have commitment to begin a feasibility study. I will continue to work with them to ensure the feasibility study is a success and push them to take further steps to improve public transport and roads across North West Durham.
