Bus passengers are set to face more disruption in the coming weeks as workers at Arriva walk out in some parts of the North East.

More than 100 bus drivers will walk out on a continuous strike from Friday (October 21) in a row over the company’s plans to close the historic Jesmond depot in Newcastle, putting some jobs at risk.

UPDATED: Major bus strike called off as Arriva drivers reach agreement over depot closure

The row has led to a continuous walkout being planned by drivers, with over 97% voting in favour of the industrial action.

Major disruption expected in the coming weeks on services in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland, including to some school services unless the disagreement is resolved and the industrial action called off.

Unite regional officer Dave Telford said: “Strike action will cause severe disruption to passengers in the short-term but the closure of the Jesmond depot will result in a permanent reduction in services for local bus users.

“This action is being taken as a last resort and is entirely of Arriva’s own making.  The company needs to enter into constructive negotiations with Unite on alternatives to closure.”

The Northern Echo: The Arriva depot in Jesmond is set to close. Picture: WEB/CREATIVE COMMONSThe Arriva depot in Jesmond is set to close. Picture: WEB/CREATIVE COMMONS (Image: WEB/CC)

However, in a statement on their website Arriva called on until to abandon their plans for strike action.

The statement said: “We are deeply disappointed to learn of intended continuous industrial action by Unite the Union involving colleagues from our Jesmond Depot from 21st October 2022.

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“Jesmond depot is a listed building and is no longer suitable for modern bus operations. As a result, we sold the depot a number of years ago. As part of the sale, we agreed a lease arrangement, which ends this year. We are now preparing to hand the site over to the owners.

“Our plan is to continue operating the services operated from Jesmond, from alternate locations. Whilst unfortunately this has placed a small number of colleagues at risk of redundancy, drivers and engineers at Jesmond depot are being offered alternative employment and we have consulted with the team offering a generous compensation package to mitigate the impact of the location changes.

The Northern Echo: Arriva services south of the Tyne and in County Durham are not impacted by the strike.. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTArriva services south of the Tyne and in County Durham are not impacted by the strike.. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

“Such unjustified strike action will have an extremely negative impact on communities across the area and we are focused on resolving this issue as soon as possible.

“Arriva will continue to keep our customers and stakeholders updated on this situation.

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“We call on Unite the Union to abandon their plans for this damaging and counter-productive strike action.”

It comes after GMB workers at Stagecoach in Sunderland walked out earlier this week in a row over pay.

Almost 200 workers walked out in the Sunderland strike after the GMB union said plans put forward by Stagecoach resulted in real terms pay cut.

Which services are affected?

The busses which will not run are:

  • Service 43
  • Service 44
  • Service 45
  • Service 46/46A
  • Service 47
  • Service 52
  • Service 53
  • Service 54
  • Service 55
  • Service 553
  • Service 555

The following busses will run with some disruption:

  • Service 306/308 
  • Service 685 (Stagecoach timetable is not affected)

The following school services will not run:

  • Service 105 – 07:25 Great Park to Gosforth East Middle School
  • Service 652 – 15:08 (14:15 Tue) George Stephenson School to West Allotment
  • Service 654 – 07:45 George Stephenson School to West Allotment
  • Service 656 – 15:08 (14:15 Tue) George Stephenson School to West Allotment
  • Service 693 – 07:50 Wideopen to North Gosforth Academy
  • Service 699 – 15:10 North Gosforth Academy to Wideopen

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