'Superloop' Darlington to North Yorkshire bus route plans

At a Richmond (Yorks) Committee meeting on Monday (November 18), the ambitious transport route that would consider departing Darlington before travelling towards the Yorkshire Dales and on to Northallerton was discussed. 

The idea was brought forward in the public participation section of the meeting, which saw Leyburn Town Council's Philip Holder, talk about the viability and chance of such a scheme being built. 

Darlington town centre (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Cllr Holder noted the "vital" importance it should be given and the connectivity it will bring to communities like Leyburn, Northallerton, and other parts of North Yorkshire. According to Cllr Holder, it will also open Darlington as an employment opportunity for those who live in North Yorkshire.

At the meeting, the Leyburn councillor set out the prospective route, which would go from Darlington to Scotch Corner and the planned Designer Village, before making its way towards Catterick Garrison and Leyburn until looping back towards Northallerton. 

The idea from Cllr Holder was an emulation of a current system that Transport for London currently has in place called the 'London Superloop', which connects parts of London that weren't previously on popular bus routes. 

A bus going through traffic lights (Image: PA MEDIA) Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Holder said: "I've written to the Mayor of North Yorkshire about this issue and proposed a route, which I have named the 'North Riding Superloop'.

"Hopefully consultation will happen soon because we believe it will connect communities that aren't currently served by the bus services in these areas.

"Darlington is in the process of building a new train, bus and coach hub, so it would be a perfect place to start the service, and it's hoped Scotch Corner will be a big economic hub for North Yorkshire so that will be included too."

While the plans were raised at Monday's meeting, no firm proposals for the 'superloop' have been submitted and it was confirmed by North Yorkshire Council at the meeting that it could not financially support such a scheme. 

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However, the local authority did say that if a bus company did support this scheme and it was viable from the North Yorkshire Combined Authority, this scheme could go forward.

In a statement read out to the committee meeting on Monday, North Yorkshire Council's response was: "Many of the locations mentioned in the proposals already have bus routes covering them. Even if the council had funding to support this, it is not something it would be prepared to do. Bus operators could support this scheme if they wish."