Bus service between Darlington and nearby villages extended

The number 10 bus from Whinfield will stop at Sadberge and surrounding villages from April to July as part of a loop route to the east of Darlington and west of Stockton. 

The extension has been agreed with Arriva to serve the village, which would otherwise be left with no service after the Tees Flex on-demand bus service halts at the end of March. 

Service 10 will operate once an hour via Great Burdon, Sadberge, Little Stainton, Bishopton, Redmarshall, Carlton, Thorpe Thewles, Stillington and Great Stainton in an anticlockwise loop, returning to Sadberge and rejoining the service at Whinfield.

Darlington Borough Council Leader Steve Harker said: “For Sadberge, having a regular bus service is very important.

“This service means the village stays connected to Darlington town centre, Stockton and neighbouring communities, which will help residents get to work, education, healthcare and shops.”

The extension comes after council leaders said they were exploring ways to enhance local bus services. Services in the West End and extensions to new developments such as West Park have been mooted. 

Cllr Harker, who is also TVCA Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, added: “While we’re seeing some positive trends in service coverage across Tees Valley, what really matters is how people experience those services day-to-day. 

“We want to look at how we can strengthen and improve the network in the longer-term as part of a wider review with increased investment in our transport system.”

Meanwhile, two new Stagecoach routes will also begin in April and run until July.

Service X86 will connect Redmarshall to Stockton High Street via Whitton, Stillington and Bishopton, Roseworth and University Hospital of North Tees, while Service 51 will link Dalton Piercy and Elwick with Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Hartlepool Town Centre.

Local Conservative MP Matt Vickers said rural communities deserve proper access to public transport. 

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “If we’re serious about creating good jobs and growing our economy, then local people must be able to access new opportunities right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“We’re already seeing more stops getting more frequent services, which shows progress is being made, but we want to do more across road, rail and in the air.

“With increased funding coming into our region, and big transport projects nearing completion, we’re determined to go further and build a network that genuinely supports our people, backs our businesses and helps our growth as a region.”