THE Tees Valley Bus Network Improvements Project will improve the Tees Valley bus network.

The project covers major bus routes across the boroughs of Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Darlington and Hartlepool and will be delivered over a three-year period from 2010 to 2012.

An application for funding has been made to the Department for Transport. If funding is approved the outline proposals will be developed into detailed designs.

Within Darlington the project will improve bus services by reducing journey times on the following routes:

• North Road
• Woodland Road/Milbank Road
• Yarm Road
• Brinkburn Road
• Thompson Street East
• Minors Crescent/Whitton Crescent

This will be achieved by making improvements to the bus network in Darlington including:

• Junction improvement work
• Bus priority measures at a number of junctions
• New bus stops with improved accessibility

In addition a range of other measures will also be introduced including:

• Improved journey information with an increase in the use of real time information displays at bus stops
• Ticketing initiatives

Outline scheme proposals for the work to be carried out in 2010 will be available for inspection and discussion at a Talking Together event on:

Date: Wednesday January 20 2010
Time: 3.30pm - 7.30pm
Location: Central Hall, Dolphin Centre, Darlington

Please note this is a drop-in event. You can visit information stands anytime between 3.30pm - 7.30pm and discuss outline proposals with the design team. Please drop in and give us half an hour of your time.

Views expressed at the event will be taken on board when developing the detailed design. A further event illustrating the proposals to be carried out in 2011 and 2012 will follow later in 2010.

There will be complimentary tea or coffee for all those attending the Talking Together event.

If you can’t make the Talking Together event and would like to contribute to the Tees Valley Bus Network Improvement Project, please email connecting@darlington.gov.uk, ring (01325) 388527, or write to Connecting with Communities at 13 Horsemarket, Darlington DL1 5PW.

You can also join the online forum.