Trip to St Helens / Widnes 18-07-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2251	St Helens BS	New Boston, opp Vista Road	20	Arriva NW&W
2693	New Boston, opp Haydock Ram's Head	St Helens BS	320	Arriva NW&W
680	St Helens BS	Widnes, Vicarage Road	17	Arriva NW&W
2520	Widnes, Town Hall	Widnes, Green Oaks	110	Arriva NW&W
13	Widnes, Green Oaks	St Helens BS	17	Halton Transport
4617	St Helens BS	Grange Park, adj Margery Road	10	Arriva NW&W
4612	Grange Park, opp Margery Road	St Helens BS	10	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We had checked the weather for the North West and the Midlands and it had forecast cloudy weather with sunny intervals all over. Research other than to check the weather was to look up the times of the Arriva run #17 service to Widnes. Matthew got up around 10:15 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off a fraction before 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and then went West on the A50. We passed Swans Travel YR15 OTD. At Sideway we joined the Northbound A500 and we passed quite a few vehicles going South. City Cabs EA04 FYF, National Holidays NH13 OWH, Country Lion BU11 JSF & White Van Hool MIL 9748 were all seen going South. On the radio it became apparent why there were extra vehicles on the Southbound A500. Due to a lorry fire on the M6 between junction 13 & 12. The M6 had been closed and traffic diverted onto the adjoining A roads causing gridlock! Police were advising people to leave the M6 at junction 16 and to travel South via the Anyway, we joined the Northbound M6 and we saw local vehicles ABC Supreme YX03 JVZ / HK57 LGZ, Britannia Travel S100 KKE, Intercity WJ12 NKX as well as blue minibus BF63 MFV. We left the M6 at the M62 and we went West for one junction. At Winwick we got on the Nortbound A49 and we saw Network Warrington 67 on a #22 service to Warrington and Arriva NW&W 2714 on a #360 from Wigan to Warrington. We carried on into Newton and we went left on the A572 toward Earlestown. At the petrol station we took the sharp left onto Market Street. We parked up at the shoppers car park on Lord Street and we headed off on foot to the cafe Crumpets for dinner. On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W Volvo 2707 on a #34 service. At the cafe Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating we said goodbye and we walked to the toilet block near to the market. After using the toilet we set off on foot back towards the car. On the was we stopped to photograph required Arriva NW&W 2251 on a #20 service.

Arriva NW&W 2251 in Earlestown bus station

behind the Arriva Dart was dud Hatton's Travel Dart MW52 UCC on a #141 service to Earlestown.

Hatton's Travel MW52 UCC in Earlestown bus station

We got in the car and we drove back up Market Street onto the A572. We drove up to St Helens via Parr passing required Arriva NW&W 2422 on a #34 to Leigh. We parked up on Hardshaw Street and said goodbye to mum. We had missed the 14:10 departure to Widnes and then next Arriva one was 14:50. Once we had an Arriva Day Saver we could use either Halton Transport or Arriva buses as part of the quality bus partnership agreement entered into by bus companies and Merseytravel on select bus routes. Whilst we decided what bus to do next we decided to walk around the bus station and to take a few pictures. On layover between #10 Liverpool services was Arriva NW&W 4600.

Arriva NW&W 4600 in St Helens bus station

Between similarly routed #10A services was Arriva NW&W 4619. On the other side of the bus station we saw Arriva NW&W 712 on a #33 to Sutton Manor.

Arriva NW&W 712 in Earlestown bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2987 about to work a #320 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2987 in St Helens bus station

Required Arriva NW&W 2714 was about to work the next #329 to warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2714 in St Helens bus station

Matthew wanted to use the toilet so we went up to the tardis like toilet at the top corner of the bus station. We spotted Arriva Dart 2251 come in on the #20 to Earlestown so we went over to check it out. The bus was loading and we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2694 pull up on Corporation Street on a #352 to Wigan via Orrell.

Arriva NW&W 2694 in St Helens bus station

The Dart started loading so we took a picture of Arriva NW&W 2251 through the glass of the bus station.

Arriva NW&W 2251 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased Arriva North West Day Savers at £5.20. We sat down towards the back of the bus and the bus set off out of town Eastwards along the A58. About a mile out of town we left the A58 and we turned onto West End Road. As we travelled East we passed dud Arriva NW&W 2237. We joined onto the A599 and the bus started to empty out. Matthew took the opportunity to photograph some of the empty seats opposite to us.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2251

We carried on Further and we decided to get off the bus at the last stop on the A599 as we approached the turned to Earlestown. As we got closer to the stop we passed dud Arriva NW&W 2211 on a St Helens bound #20. We got off and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2251 as it was about to turn onto Vista Road.

Arriva NW&W 2251 in Haydock

We crossed the road at the traffic island and we checked the bus stop timetable information. We had around 10 minutes for the next #320. Whilst we waited Matthew had half a bottle of fanta that mum had saved earlier. We saw approaching down the A599 and as it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2693.

Arriva NW&W 2693 in Haydock

The bus was empty when we got on it, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2693.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2693

We flashed our Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus carried on back down the A599, turning onto Park Street and forwards onto West End Road. We joined the West bound A58 and we came into town along Corporation Street. We got off the bus and it was 15:05. The #17 to Widnes was due in 5 minutes. Arriva North West & Wales Solo 680 came and sat on the stand 'Not in Service'.

Arriva NW&W 680 in St Helens bus station

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service, we saw Arriva NW&W Volvo 2706 arriving on a #34 from Leigh.

Arriva NW&W 2706 in St Helens bus station

The bus was made ready for service and the destination LEDS set to '17 Widnes'. We got on the bus and it was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 680.

Inside Arriva NW&W 680

We flashed the tickets to the driver and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off through the town and then across the roundabout near to KFC. We picked up a youth who had a slushie type drink that he purchased from KFC. We went along Peasley Cross Lane and under the railway line. At Langtree Park we saw an unidentified Acklams coach. We went South and we joined the A569. We went over the railway line at Lea Green and we went towards Clock Face. We went through the estate and we ended up on Jubits Lane. We went past The Dream and we crossed over the M62 and the A557. We joined the B5419 and we went South. At Victoria Park we turned left onto Locketts Road. We went South down Peel House Lane... As we travelled down I heard the youth with the drink shove his cup behind the back seat. What an inconsiderate idiot! We arrived at a busy shopping area with quite a few bus stops, and most people got up to get off the bus including the youth. As as walked past me I said to him 'Excuse me I think you left something behind'... He turned and looked at me in disgust and just carried on as if I had done something wrong. I though about getting off the bus, but some others had stayed on so I knew we hadn't reached the terminus. We went West back onto the B5419 and we carried on Southwards. We turned into a side street and everybody got off the bus. We had reached the terminus. We got off the bus into the town centre. There wasn't anyone around except a coupl of driver who waiting for buses to arrive for a driver change. Another bus pulled up behind us and it was Halton Transport MCV eVolution 4 on a #14C to Hough Green Farm. As the next #17 wouldn't arrive for approximately another 20 minutes, we decided to go for a short walk. We walked onto Kingsway and Matthew ate a bag of Milky Way Stars from the bag as well as drinking a can of Vimto. As we went to go back onto Vicarage Road we saw required Arriva NW&W 2539 on a #82A to Runcorn.

Arriva NW&W 2539 in Widnes

Back on Vicarage Road we saw Halton Transport Marshall bodied Dart 28 on a terminating #14 service.

Halton Transport 28 in Widnes

We decided to walk around the other corner to see if there was a bus we could catch back to the shopping centre instead of waiting for the #17. At the stop we saw there was a #110 due, which we hoped would take us there. As we waited we saw Halton Transport East Lancs bodied Dart 40 on a #2 to Halepark.

Halton Transport 40 in Widnes

We saw a #110 approaching so we flagged it down. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2520.

Arriva NW&W 2520 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we asked the driver if it was going to the retail park. He said that it was so we flashed the Arriva day Saver tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We headed North and Matthew took a picture of the empty back seat of Arriva NW&W 2520.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2520

We passed a different retail park before turning into the one we recognised from earlier. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2520 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2520 in Green Oaks

In font of us was Halton Transport East Lancs bodied Dart 47.

Halton Transport 47 in Green Oaks

Matthew wanted the toilet and we spotted some by the market hall. It was only around 100yds away so we quickly went down to the toilet so that Matthew could use them. After we retuned we waited for the next #17 departure to St Helens which we knew would be a Halton Transport bus. Whilst we waited we took a few more pictures in the busy area. We saw Halton Transport 46 on a Northbound service. We also saw Halton Transport Scania 83 on a #14 service.

Halton Transport 83 in Green Oaks

This was followed by Arriva NW&W Cadet 2535 on a #79C to Runcorn.

Arriva NW&W 2535 in Green Oaks

A solo pulled up behind us #27 to Weates Close. It was former Blackpool Transport 276 now carrying the fleet number 60 with Halton Transport.

Halton Transport 60 in Green Oaks

Across the way we saw Halton Transport MCV eVolution 8. It was getting busy in the bus area as Arriva NW&W 2537 was also seen.

Arriva NW&W 2537 in Green Oaks

Carrying a blue and silver livery on the side was Halton Transport Scania Omnicity 90 on a Northbound service. As the following bus turned the corner we could see that it had #17 route branding on it. As it got closer we saw that it was required Halton Transport Enviro200 13.

Halton Transport 13 in Green Oaks

We got on the bus and we flashed our Arriva North West Day Saver ticket to the driver. We sat down near to the back and we set off out of the Green Oaks retail park and onto Peel House lane. We turned left at Lockett Road and right onto the B5419. We travelled North through Farnworth and into Lunts Heath. We went North up Wilmere Lane and over the A557 and the M62. The road became Jubits Lane as as we were turning into Gartons lane we saw white coach L938 NWW parked on the corner. We zigged through the housing estate and we came out on Clock Face Road. At the big roundabout we crossed over and went over Lea Green railway station on the A569. We went up Marshall Cross Road and past Langtree Park again. This time there was no Acklam coach park outside. We crossed under the railway line and we went into town via Parr Street, Church Street and Hall Street were the bus terminated around the corner from the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew got a picture inside Halton Transport 13.

Inside Halton Transport 13

We got off the bus and we also took another better picture of Halton Transport 13.

Halton Transport 13 in St Helens

Around the corner in Bickerstaffs Street we saw required Hatton's Travel Enviro200 MX61 KOD.

Hatton's Travel MX61 KOD in St Helens bus station

We also saw Arriva NW&W 2551 on the #31 to Parr Stocks.

Arriva NW&W 2551 in St Helens bus station

Matthew wanted to use the toilet so we walked up to the top of the bus station to use the 'Tardis' toilet. When he came out we saw required Arriva NW&W Volvo 2703 on a #34A to Acorn Street.

Arriva NW&W 2703 in St Helens bus station

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do the Volvo but he indicated to me that he fancied doing a double decker. There was a #10 on layover on Corporation Street and it was required Arriva NW&W 4617. We walked over to the other side of the bus station to wait for it and we didn't have to wait for too long.

Arriva NW&W 4617 in St Helens bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver. We went upstairs and the top deck was empty and so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4617.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4617

It was now nearly 17:00 so we were only going to do a short out and back trip. We decided to go to the point were the #10 and #10A services split at the junction of the A58 and the B5413. the bus set off through town up to the A58 and then we went Westwards. We travelled for about a nile and we got up one stop later than we wanted to go, past the B5413. When we got off Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4617 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4617 in Grange Park

We crossed the road and as we had seen a St Helens bound #10A go around the corner we decide to cross the road and wait where we were rather than walking one stop back towards town. Whilst ther we saw a number of Arriva #10A services go past in the distance as well as a Stagecoach Merseyside run #10A service as well as an Arriva #33 bus with a Solo SR. A few minutes later we saw an Arriva double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 4612.

Arriva NW&W 4612 in Grange Park

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva North West Day Saver tickets to the driver for the last time today. We went upstairs and the bus went into town the mile or so along the A58. We passed through the centre and onto Bickerstaffe Street and forwards onto Corporation Street. The bus reached the terminus and we waited for the bus to empty before Matthew got a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4612.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4612

We got off the bus and behind us was dud Arriva NW&W 2262 on layover.

Arriva NW&W 2262 in St Helens bus station

We walked back to the car and on the way we saw a few buses entering Corportaion Street. We saw dud Arriva NW&W 2254 on a #156 to Garswood.

Arriva NW&W 2254 in St Helens bus station

We also saw required Arriva NW&W 2717 on a #33 to Sutton Manor.

Arriva NW&W 2717 in St Helens bus station

In the car mum was waiting for us with Greggs sausage rolls and Matthew also had a bottle of Irn Bru. We set off along Corporation Street and onto the A58. Earlier in the day I had noticed a petrol station on the A58 when we went to Haydock on Arriva NW&W Dennis Dart 2251, Instead of going back the usual way via Newton, We went along the A58 for about a mile until we came to the petrol station. After a quick splash and dash we carried on along the A58 the short distance up the the A580. We went Eastwards along the A580 until we hit the M6 at junction 23. On the M6 we caught up with Copeland's Tours MIB 615 going South towards Stoke.

Copeland's Tours MIB 615 on the M6

We carried on South and we saw Roseville NA56 NWD. On the A500 we saw taxi minibus YJ13 KLV & Hollinshead Coaches NIB 8318. At Sideway we went east on the A50 which we did up to Longton so that we could check out what was at Z Carz this evening. First in the row was Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

Next bus in the row was Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX.

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

Next to the Ford minibus was Z Carz Mercedes minibus S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

The last bus on the spare ground was another Z Carz Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was stabled in the compound. In the cente of the compound was Z Carz airport transfers minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

We rejoined the A50 and we did it up to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road. As we passed Longton Hall Road we saw First Potteries 60072 on a #22 to Newcastle. We got home around 18:50. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a cornflake cake. bravo i love reading these Matthew chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45... Mark