Trip to Birkenhead / New Brighton 30-04-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2515	Birkenhead BS	Liscard, nr Wallasey Road	409	Arriva North West & Wales
2454	Liscard, nr Belvidere Road	King's Parade, New Brighton	410	Arriva North West & Wales
4205	King's Parade, New Brighton	Birkenhead, nr Claughton Road	410	Arriva North West & Wales
2638	Birkenhead BS	King's Parade, New Brighton	411	Arriva North West & Wales
402	King's Parade, New Brighton	Liscard BS	10A	Avon Buses
2516	Liscard, Wallasey Road (Stop B)	Liscard BS	409	Arriva North West & Wales
3132	Liscard BS	Birkenhead, nr Claughton Road	410	Arriva North West & Wales

Today we decided to re-visit Birkenhead. We checked the weather for the Midlands & North West with places such as and it was for showery weather, with the West of the soft play area figuring a little better. We gave Matthew a list of place from the area and from the list Matthew smartly chose Birkenhead. Matthew got up a little after 10:00 and he had toast and washed down with summer fruit juice. We set off around 12:00 onto the A5035 and we turned right onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we saw City Cabs EA04 FYF parked up outside the Hem Heath pub. We carried on down to the A50 and we went West to the A500 , where we went Northwards. Going North up the A500 we saw Paul's of Stoke M20 BUS, Ricky's R222 RKY, National Holidays NH11 JTH & red minibus DK05 ERX. We heard there was traffic on the M6 so we took a bizarre route through Alsager, close to Crewe and then onto the A500/A51. In Alsager we saw First Potteries 66303 Hanley bound #3. Traveling West up the A51 past Routemaster Buses depot, we saw RTS minibuses BX08 EOR & Arriva NW&W 4477/4478. 4478 now has an all over advert. In little we turned right off the A51 and onto the M53. We went North up the M53 and we saw Durham City Coaches YJ16 EJC & Ashcroft Travel HIG 5675. We came off the M53 at junction 5 onto the A41. As we travelled North we could see a Helms double decker following us the road. It caught us at traffic lights at Bromborough and Matthew got a picture of Helms double decker 129 on a football service to Liverpool AFC.

Helms 129 in Bromborough

We continued North up the A41, nearly went into the tunnel again and then re-joined the A552 outside Birkenhead Central station. We went under Bromborough Road and around the roundabout onto Argyle Street. We turned left onto Conway Street past the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 4171 on a #410 service. We turned left again onto Hemmingford Street. We tried to park on the surface car park between Wilko and the bus station but it was full, so we ended up on a small car par off St John Street. The cafe we were going to eat at had closed so we decided to eat in the market. We used the toilet in the market adjacent to the bus station and we found a place on the left hand side of the market that was still serving breakfasts. Matthew had a breakfast which he washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Whilst we waited for the food I went to the travel shop and I got the Walrus cards charged up with a Wirral area Saveaway ticket at £3.90. We ate our food and once we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked back to the bus station. We had just missed a #410 to New Brighton, so we had a walk around the bus station to see what was about. We saw required Arriva NW&W 4517 on a #437 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4517 in Birkenhead bus station

We walked up to the eastern entrance to the bus station and we saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 27269 on a #1 service to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27269 in Birkenhead bus station

We decided to wait back up at the other end as it was closer to stand 10 which would need for the New Brighton bus. In the distance we saw what we thought was an old Ribble liveried double decker on Argyle Street. We saw it turn onto Conway Street and headed towards us. As it got closer we realised it was dud Stagecoach Merseyside 18156 on a #472 to Heswall.

Stagecoach Merseyside 18156 in Birkenhead bus station

It was a bus we had been on when it was in ordinary Stagecoach colours from Blackpool to St Annes back in October 2012. We also saw required Stagecoach Merseyside 27263 on a #2 service to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27263 in Birkenhead bus station

A few minutes later we a cadet approaching stand 10. We turned the corner to see it was dud Arriva NW&W 2515.

Arriva NW&W 2515 in Birkenhead bus station

We got on the bus and we put the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Claughton Road. We turned right onto Exmouth Street and across the A553 onto Watson Street. We continued forwards onto Rendel Street and then we turned left onto the A554. We passed Docks Road and we continued North up the A554 past the visiting fairground. A Seacombe Ferry we turned into the the terminal and we saw Arriva NW&W Myllenium bodied DAF 2463 on a #403 service. As the rear of the bus was now empty Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2515.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2515

We left the ferry terminal and we went back onto the A554 We traveled forwards onto St Pauls Road. At the end we turned right and we headed up Wheatland Lane. Wheatland lane became Liscard Road and we traveled North into Liscard. We joined the one way system onto Mill Lane and then right onto St Albans Road.We turned left onto Wallasey Road and we decide to get up and get off the bus. We turned into Belvidere Road where it stopped and we got off. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2515 before it carried on to Wallasey village.

Arriva NW&W 2515 in Liscard

We watch the bus go off into the distance and then we walked around the corner to the stop on Wallasey Road. We didn't have to wait long before a Myllennium bodied DAF single decker cam around the corner out of Torrington Road. As got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2454.

Arriva NW&W 2454 in Liscard

We got on the bus and we put the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down near the front of the bus. At the next stop people got off the bus so we sat at the back of the bus. We left Liscard along Rake Lane and went forwards onto Rowson Street. At the end we turned left onto the A554 and we ran down to the coast and we turned left onto King's Parade. The bus terminated opposite to Morrisons and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2454.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2454

Once we got off the bus we headed to the pelican crossing. On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 2638 on a terminating #411 service from Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2638 in New Brighton

We crossed the road and we went to have a look at the buses parked up to near to Morrisons. On the opposite side of the road required Arriva NW&W 4530 arrived on a #432 service from Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4530 in New Brighton

Back on the nearside of the road we saw required Avon Buses 156 about to work a #10A to Arrowe Park.

Avon Buses 156 in New Brighton

Behind the Avon Buses MCW single decker was dud Arriva NW&W 2456 on a #414 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2456 in New Brighton

We went into Morrisons and Matthew used the toilet. We then went into the shop and we brought some Irn Brus and cherry Coke as well as a couple of Chocolate bars. We went to the till and paid for the good before loading up the trip bag. When we got outside we saw required Arriva NW&W 4205 which had just arrived on a #410 service.

Arriva NW&W 4205 in New Brighton

The bus ran to the roundabout and turned round and came back to form a #410 to Clatterbridge. We got on the bus and we put the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4205.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4205

The bus set off along King Parade we turned right onto the A554. We Climbed the hill and we turned right into Rowson Street. We continued forwards onto Rake lane and we ran into Liscard. We went around the one way system and we called in the bus station on Liscard Crescent. We turned right onto Mill Street and right again onto St Albans Road. We turned left onto Wallasey Road before turning left into Torrington Road. We descended the hill down to Gorsey lane and we crossed over the A59. We went forwards onto Duke Street and we passed the West Float. Opposite the Happy Als bus depot was another small compound in which we saw yellow Solo T421 OUB. We passed Birkenhead Park railway station and we turned left onto Park Road North. At the corner of the park we turned right onto Park Road East before going left into Claughton Road where we passed A2B Solo YJ60 KDZ on a #154 service. At Hemingford Street we turned left and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4205 as it carried on South towards Clatterbridge.

Arriva NW&W 4205 in Birkenhead

We set off on foot back to the bus station, the Southbound service does call in the bus station as it isn't possible without running down the road and doubling back on itself. As we passed the car park we saw a Streetlite approaching... It was required Arriva NW&W 6000 on a #487 service to Ness Gardens.

Arriva NW&W 6000 in Birkenhead bus station

When we got to the bus station we saw dud Arriva NW&W 2454 on a #410 to New Brighton. We didn't have to wait long before required Arriva NW&W 2638 made an appearance on the #411 to New Brighton.

Arriva NW&W 2638 in Birkenhead bus station

we decided to do this bus so we got on and we put the walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went forwards onto Claughton Road. we turned Right onto park Road East and Left onto Park Road North. At Duke Street we turned right and we went passed Birkenhead Park station, Happy Als and over the bridge past the West Float. We turned right onto the A5139. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A554 and we passed the fairground before entering Seacombe Ferry terminal. We saw Arriva NW&W 3010 on a #413 service. After calling in the terminal we returned onto the A554 and we ran up the west side of The Wirral through Wallasey and up to New Brighton. We turned left into Kings parade and we left the bus empty before matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2638.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2638

We got up and got off the bus and across the road we saw required Avon Buses 402 about to work a #10A to Arrowe park.

Avon Buses 402 in New Brighton

We crossed the road and we decided to do Avon Buses 402. We got on the bus and we put the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along King's Parade and we turned right onto the A554. We turned right again onto Victoria Road and we went past New Brighton railway station and we turned left onto Atherton Street. We turned right onto Albion Street and at the end we went South down Mount Road. We crossed over Mount Pleasant Road and forwards onto Kirkway. The bus in front was now empty so Matthew took a picture inside Avon Buses 402.

Inside Avon Buses 402

We turned right onto Earlston Road and left onto Seaview Road and we cam into Liscard from the North West. When we got to Liscard Crescent we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Avon Buses 402 before it carried on to Arrowe Park hospital.

Avon Buses 402 in Liscard bus station

We decided to go back onto Wallasey Road to catch a bus towards new Brighton. On the way Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet so we went inside a pub called The Duke. Matthew used the toilet and then had a swift half of Coke before we went back outside. Whilst we were in the pub we saw Arriva NW&W 4171 going up towards New Brighton on a #410. We came out and we to the stop outside the Yorkshire Building Society. We saw a cadet approaching and we decided to do it. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2516.

Arriva NW&W 2516 in Liscard

We got on and we put the walrus cards on the ticket machine. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2516.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2516

We sat down at the back of the bus and the bus set off along Wallasey Road. Dave said 'you do realise this bus is going to Birkenhead?' I didn't realise that it was going to Birkenhead... I forgot that we caught an #409 service. we decided to get off the bus as it was calling in Liscard bus station. We got up and got off the bus, and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2516 before it carried on back towards Birkenhead.

Arriva NW&W 2516 in Liscard bus station

The next #410 to Clatterbridge came into the bus station and it was required Arriva NW&W 3130.

Arriva NW&W 3130 in Liscard bus station

We decided to turn this bus down in the hope that we might get Arriva NW&W President double decker 4171. We retired to a nearby bench Matthew had a bottle of Irn Bru and he shared a double Milky Way with me and uncle Dave. When we had finished we walked back over to the bus station and we saw required Arriva NW&W 2988 on a #414 to Woodside.

Arriva NW&W 2988 in Liscard bus station

We turned this down, waiting for the next #410. Whilst we waited we saw Eazibus double decker SN03 EAJ comw past empty.

Eazibus SN03 EAJ in Liscard bus station

A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching and disappointingly it was a Pulsar II! As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 3132.

Arriva NW&W 3132 in Liscard bus station

We got on the bus for the final time today, placing the Walrus cards on the ticket machine before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off around the one way system and onto Wallsaey Road before turning left into Torrington Road. We descended the hill down to Gorsey lane and we crossed over the A59. We went forwards onto Duke Street and we passed the West Float. We passed Birkenhead Park railway station and we turned left onto Park Road North. At the corner of the park we turned right onto Park Road East before going left into Claughton Road. The bus had emptied a little, so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 3132.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3132

At Hemingford Street we turned left and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3132 as it carried on South towards Clatterbridge. .

Arriva NW&W 3132 in Birkenhead

We walked back to the bus station, walking past the car which mum had now moved to the car park opposite to the bus station. We didn't get there quick enough to see Arriva NW&W 4165 on the #464 to New Ferry, but we see Stagecoach Merseyside 36820 on the #41 to Woodchurch.

Stagecoach Merseyside 36820 in Birkenhead bus station

We went back to the car and mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls, which Matthew washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We left the car park and we circled around onto Conway Street via Hemingford Street. We turned right onto Argyle Street and left onto the A41 and we went South towards the M53. As we left town we passed a KWS Executive Travel midicoach. Just before the M53 we saw Deeside Cars Ford minibus YR10 OUP. Coming the other way on the M53 we passed an unidentified Robinson's coach. We took the Eastbound exit onto the M56 and we travelled towards warrington AS we approached the M6 we saw a couple of coaches ahead of us. The rear coach was Bakers Travel King Long coach BX13 NTE.

Bakers BX13 NTE on the M56

The other one was G Line Hoildays YN62 GXC.

G Line Hoildays YN62 GXC on the M56

We went South on the M6 and through the roadwork around junctions 20 to 18. On the M6 we saw City Cabs LT02 XLJ. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. Coming down the A500 we caught up with Bagnalls BAG 923S. Further down the A500 passed two Bakers coaches in the new colours (white with black and orange stripe) one of which was 294, as well as another in the old colours with green. We also saw Stanton's of Stoke coaches 614 WEH & NXJ 321. At Sideway we took the Eastbound A50 and we saw Lucky Seven SF04 ZHD. As we came off the A50 we were caught up by Bagnalls BAG 923S again.

Bagnalls BAG 923S on the A50

We came off the a50 at Longton and we went to check out what was parked up at Z Carz. As it was a bank holiday weekend there were a lot of buses parked up this evening. In the front row was Z Carz Y568 XFV.

Z Carz Y568 XFV in Longton

Nearest minibus in the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We turned left into Willow Road and we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD parked across the gate of the compound.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

We got back onto the A50 high level and we crossed over the A50 to go to the petrol station. Today I managed to put the correct fuel in the car! After filling up we got back onto the a50 and we went West where we saw Northwich Travel Y743 DDA. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we went left onto Blurton Road. We traveled through Blurton and forwards onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we saw white Iveco minibus NX03 BFP again. We got home around 19:20. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 01:00... Mark