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Levelling Up Transport

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Richard with Minister

Transport infrastructure in North West Durham is, to put it bluntly, lacking.

Places like Crook, Willington, Weardale, Dipton, Burnhope and Burnopfield have limited bus services, particularly at the weekends and in the evenings. The number of constituents who have got in touch with me about this is a concern – people sometimes wait up to an hour for a bus and, in rural areas, the public transport can be non-existent. Meanwhile, we have no dual carriage ways or main line railway stations in the constituency.

Local Bus Links

I am campaigning to improve the bus services across the constituency and have brought the Transport Secretary to North West Durham in order to see these issues himself. I have spoken in Parliament, and with both Arriva and North East about their timetables and how they operate to serve the community. I’ve pushed them on their long-term plans to improve local transport and look forward to continuing to work with them as we work to deliver on what the area needs.

A New Rail Line

North West Durham doesn’t have a rail line, which is why I launched a campaign to see a new trainline built between Consett and Newcastle/The Tyne. I have won the support of ¾ of constituents and both the Transport Secretary and the Prime Minister. As a result of my campaign, the Government have commitment to begin a feasibility study. I will continue to work with them to ensure the feasibility study is a success and push them to take further steps to improve public transport and roads across North West Durham.

News

RH in Hunwick

Richard Holden MP's Good News Story of the Week

Tuesday, 7 June, 2022

Richard Holden's Good News Story of the Week concerns a bus stop and shelter in Hunwick.

Richard comments that:

Richard at Reopening of Weardale Line

Richard becomes first passenger on reopening of historic Weardale Heritage line

Sunday, 29 May, 2022

Richard Holden was super excited to be one of the first passengers on the Weardale Heritage line from Stanhope to Wolsingham.

Richard says of the journey:

RH near Road

Richard implores constituents to get involved in new Government trials to limit roadside noise

Friday, 13 May, 2022

Richard Holden MP wants YOU to sign up for roadside noise trials!

Richard makes the following statement:

Richard Next to Train

Full steam ahead for Richard Holden MP’s Weardale Line campaign as feasibility study receives £50,000 in Government support

Tuesday, 12 April, 2022

Richard is delighted to offer the following BREAKING NEWS: the Transport Secretary Approves £50,000 towards feasibility study into the #weardaleline which would extend the Darlington to Bishop Auckland service to #Crook and up into #Weardale.

Richard comments:

Richard with Dehenna

Richard Welcomes the Start of the Weardale Line Feasibility Study

Sunday, 16 January, 2022

Richard Holden MP Welcomes the Weardale Line Feasibility Study.

With the feasibility study for the #Weardale Line (with a loop to #Crook) now funded and underway, Richard was excited to visit visit Bishop Trains with his neighbour and colleague Dehenna Davison this weekend!

Crook & Weardale Railway - Darlington to the Durham Dales debate in Parliament led by Richard Holden MP

Tuesday, 2 November, 2021

On Monday evening, Richard Holden MP secured a debate in Parliament on the Weardale Railway. He had done so in advance of and without knowledge of the fact the that Chancellor would announce that the feasibility bid for the project would be successful in the budget!

Richard Holden MP with Cllr Mike McGaun and Cllr Doug Oliver in Burnhope

Better Buses for Burnhope

Saturday, 30 October, 2021

It's an issue that Richard has been raising with Durham County Council and Go North East since he was elected and has had lots of meetings with the bus company and others about it over the last few months as well as working with local Councillors Mike McGaun and Doug Oliver - Councillors for Lanc

Richard Holden with the Minister at the Station

Weardale Railway Bid Gets Further Ministerial Support

Friday, 24 September, 2021

On Friday Richard Holden, Member of Parliament for North West Durham, brought the Science and Innovation Minister, George Freeman MP, to Weardale to further press his bid to have the Weardale line re-opened.

Richard Holden MP Eastgate

Second Week of the Summer Surgery Tour 2021 of Richard Holden MP

Monday, 16 August, 2021

This is the second of Richard Holden's busy two week summer surgery tour.

Richard Holden MP at the Hownsgill depot

Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, backs bid for zero emissions buses for Consett.

Wednesday, 7 July, 2021

Writing to Mr Bailes, the Programme Lead of Transport North East, Richard Holden MP has backed Go North East’s funding bid for zero emissions buses at the Consett depot. Since the idea has caught on and you can read about in the Consett Magazine.

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Richard Holden MP for North West Durham

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