NEWS
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Cllr Elizabeth Scott , Durham County Council ’ s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships
LINK2WORK
Home-to-work bus service launched – including Aycliffe route
A
bookable bus service has been launched in County Durham to make it easier for people to get to work – including for some who need to get to Aycliffe Business Park every day .
Durham County Council has launched Link2work , a new flexible service that allows people to get the bus to work where local bus services are not available .
The scheme allows passengers to book their journeys to work and back in advance and tailor them around shift patterns .
Journeys can be booked up to 14 days in advance , and up to 5pm the day before travelling , using a 24 / 7 phone line .
Customers tell the operator which days they need to travel and the location from where they will be picked up , and the bus operator will arrange the journey . The Link2work service will cover :
• West Auckland / Bishop Auckland / Shildon to Aycliffe Business Park
• Trimdon / Sedgefield to Aycliffe Business Park
• Stanley to Consett Hownsgill ( Greencore )
• Stanley to Team Valley Following an initial free travel period , the fare will be £ 2 per journey which is paid when getting on the bus . Concessionary bus travel passes can also be used .
Cllr Elizabeth Scott , Durham County Council ’ s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships , said : “ Access to travel can be one of the biggest barriers to learning , training , work , and social opportunities .
“ For those who rely on public transport , it can be a significant challenge to get to and stay in work if services run outside of their shift patterns .
“ The Link2Work scheme aims to remove this barrier and ensure residents have the freedom to access those work opportunities .
“ It also promotes the use of public transport and sustainable travel , aligning with our net zero aspirations to tackle climate change .”
To book a journey for Link2work , customers can call the bus operator on 0191 469 6000 .
The full timetable for each area can be found at www . durham . gov . uk / article / 1973 / Alternative-bus-services
Following a successful pilot elsewhere in the region , a second scheme has been introduced , to offer free bus travel to care leavers in County Durham .
This will provide travel to around 200 young people aged 18 to 25 across County Durham who have recently left local authority care .
They will each be provided a Pop smart card with an annual Network One season ticket , providing a free year ’ s travel on the bus across County Durham , Northumberland , and Tyne and Wear .
Both schemes have been funded through the region ’ s Bus Service Improvement Plan ( BSIP ) which is delivering a number of improvements for passengers including fare promotions , enhancements to services and infrastructure investment .
ROAD RESURFACING Durham County Council is expanding its road resurfacing programme this year after receiving an additional £ 3.72m from the government .
Last October , the Prime Minister pledged a further £ 8.3bn from the Road Resurfacing Fund for local road maintenance between 2023 / 24 and 2033 / 34 .
Durham County Council was allocated an extra £ 3.72m for the 2023 / 24 and 2024 / 25 financial years and will use the money to expand its capital resurfacing programme .
The additional schemes will focus on improving the structural integrity and resilience of the road network .
RABY RELAUNCH After six years of planning , Raby Castle has opened its doors to The Rising , a 24-acre site featuring the remodelled Walled Garden along with old and new buildings .
It is an ambitious scheme – the largest and most significant for generations at the 14th century family home of Lord and Lady Barnard and will provide a stunning destination for the local community and visitors from far and wide .
It follows an extensive renovation of existing historic buildings and the sympathetic addition of two impressive new buildings , all thoughtfully tied together with newly landscaped and meandering walkways designed by landscape architect and garden designer Alistair Baldwin .
AYCLIFFE BUSINESS Bookings are being taken for issue 69 of Aycliffe Business , due out early August , with space available from £ 295 .
To enquire , call 01325 728024 or email martin @ aycliffetoday . co . uk .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 11