At time of writing (October 2023), the X18 is a long-distance bus connecting Newcastle Upon Tyne to Berwick Upon Tweed, broadly paralleling the East Coast Main Line (ECML) throughout its trip – but could a few modest changes to the route make it a much better intermodal choice (bus + rail)?
The existing timetable shows a bus service that is very near hourly (some services staggered slightly), and in terms of route crosses and runs in parallel to the ECML for much of its length. This bus does take almost 4 hours to complete the whole route from Haymarket to Berwick, which for many may discourage trips from either end point, but would be much more reasonable to join somewhere en-route, hence connections with local rail stations being developed.
In my view, increasing the bus service to a peak half-hourly service (approx 7am to 7pm), in conjunction with more early morning services and small adaptions to route (route already runs to or very near existing & proposed stations). Could make this very reasonable to achieve – at a 30min frequency, it becomes almost a ‘timetable free’ service and one where interchange between bus & train doesn’t rely on close co-ordination of timetables.
For example, at a half-hourly frequency, towns such as Alnwick or Amble would gain superb connectivity to ECML services calling at Alnmouth Station, allowing residents travelling from the station, or tourists/day-trippers coming into the station to make their onward connections quite conveniently, but if a more distant destination is desired such as Bamburgh Castle, the route would similarly serve that connection too.
There has been a long standing campaign to have an hourly local rail service calling at the smaller stations along the Northumberland Coast between Morpeth and Berwick Upon Tweed (see Railfuture: North of Morpeth).
This rail service being a considerable uplift in connectivity for stations such as Pegswood, Widdrington, Acklington and Chathill – the X18 could be a substantial part of connecting bus services to/from all of these existing stations, plus new the proposed Belford Station, as well as already calling at or near to the already well-served stations of Morpeth, Alnmouth and Berwick-Upon-Tweed.
This could mean for destinations such as Bamburgh Castle, a rail connection to/from Chathill or Belford would mean only a short hop by bus to reach Bamburgh Castle, reducing overall journey time and being more competitive with car travel for convenience and ease of use.
Newcastle to Morpeth
Newcastle to Morpeth: No Changes
Morpeth: Current service runs via Mafeking Roundabout, approx 300m walk from station. Proposal: a modest detour from Mafeking Roundabout to run up Shields Road and interconnect with Morpeth Station more directly would be possible – the exit from Coopies Lane onto Shields Road perhaps needs bus priority lights to allow a timely exit from this junction? (Approximate addition to journey time 5-10mins).
Morpeth to Alnmouth (for Alnwick and Amble)
Pegswood Station: Upon leaving Morpeth, the route runs into Pegswood, along Front Street and then Longhirst Road. Proposal: To amend route very slightly by running over Pegswood Railway Station (turning the bus at ‘Robin of Pegswood’ roundabout), offering better connections between rail and bus by bringing them physically closer together. (Approximate addition to journey time <5mins)
Widdrington: Existing connection already good, no changes proposed beyond increased frequency.
Acklington: Existing route of the X14 runs via East End of village (near Churchill Way). Proposal – extension of route west through Acklington Village to The Railway Inn/Acklington Station, using existing triangle of roads or new bus turning circle to then return to East End and resume route as stands presently. (Approximate addition to journey times ~5mins)
Alnmouth (for Alnwick & Amble): Route currently runs about 400m from station. Proposal: Divert route along Curly Lane & South View to better interchange with Alnmouth Railway Station. (Approximate addition to journey times ~5mins)
Alnmouth to Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Chathill: Current route turns west/south at Swinhoe cross roads (B1340). Proposal: Extend route west to Chathill Station, may require investment into bus turning circle on east side of ECML (to avoid waiting at level crossing) (Addition to journey times ~5mins)
Belford (Proposed Station): Current route runs along B1342, new station to have bus route as close to platforms as possible.
Berwick-Upon-Tweed: Existing connections excellent – no changes proposed.
Ryan Hogg 