FEARS over the future of a key component of Tynedale’s tourism appeal have been allayed.

The Roman Wall bus which serves the length of Hadrian’s Wall during the tourist season has long had a hand-to-mouth existence with uncertainty over funding from one year to the next.

But the AD122 service will continue taking legions of tourists through the splendours of the northern frontier of the Roman Empire for at least the next four years, following a funding deal between Northumberland County Council and Northumberland National Park Authority.

The deal has been triggered by the fact that in 2015 there were around 5,000 more journeys on the bus service than the previous year.

It is now hoped there will be a strong start to this year as accommodation providers and other tourism businesses can fully promote the service, safe in the knowledge the buses will be running.

The service will be run by Go North East from its Hexham depot and will link to their other services to ensure easy access from urban areas of Tyneside.

Development manager for the bus company, Mark Ellis, said: “We’re delighted that we’ll be running the AD122 for another four years and that’s allowed us to introduce newer buses on the route.

“We’ve also frozen single and return fares for the third year too. Our new Hadrian’s Frontier tickets will open up Hadrian’s Wall to visitors from across the North-East and we’re looking forward to another busy summer.”

Cabinet member for economic growth at Northumberland County Council, Coun. Allan Hepple, added: “The service has always proved very popular with visitors, which takes them to a number of the county’s most beautiful tourist spots through the gateway that is Hadrian’s Wall.

“This funding is crucial in ensuring that people who maybe don’t have their own transport can access some of the most rural and unspoilt parts of Northumberland.

“The news will be very welcome to these people at a time when we are facing difficult economic cuts to local government.”

Chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority, Coun. Glen Sanderson stressed the importance of local people and visitors alike are easily able to access new discovery centre at the Sill at Twice Brewed when it opens for business.

He said: “The Sill is an important tourism development for Northumberland that will bring visitor, education and business services to this rural part of our county and we are delighted that the future of the Hadrian’s Wall bus has been safeguarded for the next four years.”