Go North East restarts 14 services serving County Durham

Unite said its striking members were currently being balloted on whether to carry on their action beyond January

Several bus routes are to be restarted under a limited service amid a strike which has been going on for a month.

Bus operator Go North East said 14 services serving County Durham would operate again from Monday after it struck a deal with the county council. 

It said it would be running skeleton services, including between Sunderland and Durham and Peterlee and Gateshead.

Unite's bus drivers have been on strike since 28 October and are being balloted on whether to continue beyond January.

The bus operator said extra staff had been drafted in from elsewhere to drive the buses. 

"These duties are being covered by office workers and managers with bus driving licences, as well as regular drivers who have opted to return to work to keep essential services moving," Go North East said. 

"These services may be subject to delay due to reduced frequencies in operation - please be kind to our team who are providing them."

'Concerned about impact on lives'

The operator said it was "committed to reaching a solution" that will bring an end to the industrial action, but local authorities warned of the impact it was having on people's livelihoods.

Cathy Knight, Durham County Council's integrated passenger transport manager, said: "We are concerned about the impact the absence of bus services is having on the lives of people in our communities. 

"Go North East has introduced skeleton services to restore as much coverage as possible with the resources available and engaged with us as part of its planning of the skeleton network."

Other services to be relaunched on Monday include the S20 between Sacriston and Framwellgate Moor and the 65 service between Seaham and Hetton-le-Hole. Link