Hundreds call for rethink on Sunderland 10 and 11 route changes

A petition signed by 456 residents of the Ford Estate and Pallion areas of the city are demanding a U-turn on recent changes to Stagecoach’s 10/11 bus routes which will leave local people stranded and damage footfall for shops on St Luke’s Terrace.

Opposition Lib Dem councillors in Sunderland are demanding a re-think on recent changes to the 10 and 11 bus routes serving the Pallion and Ford Estate areas of the city.

The revised route has reduced services to key residential facilities for older people including Dovecote Meadows and Havelock Court/Havelock House, which together accommodate over 250 independent living residents. Staff who depend on the service for onward travel have also been affected, with reports of missed connections and increased travel costs.

Local traders, particularly on St Luke’s Terrace, have voiced concern that the changes will reduce footfall and harm small businesses. Many pensioners previously relied on the bus to collect their pensions from the local post office, and are now facing new challenges and distress due to the altered service.

A petition signed by 456 local people will be handed into Sunderland City Council at a meeting of all 75 councillors this evening urging the local authority to work with Stagecoach to find a solution.

Highlighting the strength of community feeling, the petition was organised and signed by 456 people within just seven days, demonstrating widespread opposition to the changes. The petition is being presented to Sunderland City Council, the North East Regional Mayor, the CEO of Stagecoach, and the CEO of Nexus.

Commenting, Lib Dem councillor for Pallion and Ford Estate Steve Donkin said:

“The alteration to the bus route, implemented on 25 January, has had a significant negative impact on the local community, affecting residents, students, and workers alike.

“Elderly and disabled residents are among those hardest hit, with many now facing increased isolation and hardship due to reduced accessibility and the additional financial burden of alternative travel options. It’s just not good enough”

One local resident, Mr Carter, shared his personal experience, saying: 

 “I am disabled and can only walk a short distance. The change has removed my ability to access a convenient stop, leaving me reliant on taxis I can ill afford. My wife is also struggling, and this decision has created real distress for us both.”