Last year, we introduced Metrocentre Express services X22 and X43. These services were to reinstate direct links, lost in years gone by, to the Metrocentre, from Stanley and Chester-le-Street.

Unfortunately, our costs to run this service have increased dramatically (predominantly due to rising fuel costs), and passenger demand on service X22 is not high enough to cover the running costs of this service.

We have done lots of marketing to promote service X22, and participated in regional schemes such as 'Kids Go Free' and 'Mayors Fares' to drive growth, but this has not been enough to grow the service enough for it to be sustainable.

Though we are very appreciative of the custom over the last year, we are proposing to withdraw service X22 after its final journey on Saturday 18 July.

Customers travelling from Chester-le-Street and Birtley will continue to be able to do so, using Go North East's 21 and X21 services to Gateshead, and connecting onto service X66.

Service X43 will continue to run.

We appreciate this will be sad news for those that relied upon the quick and direct link from Chester-le-Street, Barley Mow and Birtley to the Metrocentre, and apologise for the inconvenience caused. If you'd like to give us any feedback on this proposed change, please e-mail us at hello@northstarbus.co.uk.