Trip to Widnes / Warrington 04-02-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
5010	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	61	Arriva NW&W
3048	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea North	82A	Arriva NW&W
3140	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	79C	Arriva NW&W
5016	Runcorn BS	Warrington BS	62	Arriva NW&W
3060	Warrington BS	Huyton BS	7	Arriva NW&W
4727	Huyton BS	Cronton, Pex Hill	7	Arriva NW&W
2695	Lunts Heath, The Globe	Widnes, Green Oaks	17	Arriva NW&W

Today we revisited Widnes. We had asked Matthew over a week ago where he would like to go and he chose Widnes. I did no research for the trip other thatn to check the weather, which was for a mild and mainly dull day with a small chance of rain. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Around 11:45 we got in the car and we set off through Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. Traffic was moving well today pass an un identified Flixbus coach. We joined the Northbound M6 at juntion 16 and we headed through Cheshire. As we got on the motorway we saw a coach ahead of us. We caught it up and passed it and then let the coach go past us. It was Turners Coachways YG22 LVA travelling up to Preston for the Bristol City away match.

Turners Coachways YG22 LVA on the M6

Continuing up the M6 we saw an unidentified Happy Als coach, Alfa 120, Ashcroft's B12 VOL, an unidentified ABC Coach Hire coach, Hollinshead coaches J10 BUS, Stagecoach Megabus 54605, Hills Coaches BV18 YCH, Watts Coaches WJ65 EKW. We came off the M6 at junction 21A and we headed Westwards along the M62. Travelling along the M62 we saw an unidentified grey Bws Peris minicoach. We came off the M62 onto the Southbound A557 and we ran into Widnes. We turned right to get Green Oaks Way. We past the entrance to the bus station and we turn ed left into the car park. We parked up and we set off over the bus station towards the market we saw Harris club for the disabled DK57 NNW parked up near to Morrisons.

Harris club for the disabled DK57 NNW in Widnes

There past of the car park were into a new Starbucks and Burger King. We headed into the market and Matthew used the toilet. We had dinner at the nearby Widnes market Cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Dr Pepper. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and we walked towards the exit near to the bus station. We asked which buses Matthew wanted to do and he chose Arriva. We decided to head over the river first so we stood on the North side of the bus station. We saw a bus approaching. ON the other side we saw Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5675 on a #26 circular service. As out bus got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 5010 on a #61 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 5010 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we brought Arriva LCR+ Daysaver tickets at £4.60 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. These bus tickets are valid on Arriva buses all over Merseyside and in Halton, Warrington and Wigan. The bus set off onto Green Oaks Way and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. We went near to the site where are currently developing a new leisure centre on Moor Lane. We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We turned right onto Hutchinson Road and we joined the the A533. We crossed over the Jubilee Bridge. We crossed the bridge into Runcorn and we wheeled around onto Station Road and into the old town. We crossed over the canal and past 'The Archers' pub and onto the High Street. We turned into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5010 before it carried on towards Palacefields.

Arriva NW&W 5010 in Runcorn bus station

We had a look around and we decided what we could do. We saw Arriva NW&W 2700 on a #82A to Liverpool. We turned this down. After that we saw Arriva NW&W 3140 on a #79C to Murdishaw. we waited for the bus behind. We saw it was Arriva NW&W 3048 on a #82A to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 3048 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and flashed the Arriva LCR+ Daysaver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of town and as we got close to the town hall on Heath Road, we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea shopping centre where we got up and got off the bus. After taking a few bus pictures we set off to go into the shopping centre. We walked through the shopping centre and we went to the toilets. After we had used the toilets we headed over to the South side of the shopping centre where the Runcorn bound buses stop. A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 3041 on a #3C Weston circular.

Arriva NW&W 3041 in Halton Lea

Right behind the town circular was Arriva NW&W 3140 on a #79C to Liverpool Queens Square.

Arriva NW&W 3140 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva LCR+ Daysaver tickets to the driver before sat down towards the back of the bus We sat down towards the back of the bus and we set off along the Busway. We carried on West onto Grangeway. We ran through Higher Runcorn and we turned right onto Clifton Road. We ran through onto Moughland Lane and we joined Greenway Road. We ran fast onto the A533 and we turned right over the canal onto Leiria Way and into Runcorn town centre. After stopping the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3140 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3140 in Runcorn bus station

Once off the bus we headed down to The Ferry Boat for a drink. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we went to the bar and we had a small Coke. When we had finished we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave again. We weren't sure which direct we were going to go at this point. Whilst we were waiting we saw Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5674 on a #52 Beech circular service.

Ashcroft's Travel HIG 5674 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw another bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 5016 on a #62 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 5016 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Daysaver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of town and as we got close to the town hall on Heath Road, we turned right into Ivy Street and left into Langdale Road. We ran through Halton Lodge Norleane Crescent and Linkway. We ran clockwise around Grangeway and we joined the busway and we ran though Halton Lea North close to the library. We decided to go further East to Warrington. We ran past the hospital and we travelled East for about a mile and the busway. We passed the turning circle and we continued around the busway past Runcorn East railway station. We ran onto Windwill Hill and we Headed North towards Manor Park. We turned right onto Pitts Heath Lane and we ran into Sandymoor. We turned right onto Wharford Lane and left onto Newmoore Lane. We ran forwards onto Calmington Lane and at the roundabout we went onto Runcorn Road. We went under the A558 and we ran near to the Crewe to Warrington line. We crossed over the railway line and we ran into Moore. We ran out of the other side of the village and we joined the Northbound A56. We ran into Walton and we turned right to follow the A56 Eastwards. We ran to Stocton Heath and we joined the Northbound A49. We ran into Warrington and we crossed over the Mersey onto Bridge Street. We turned right onto Academy Way and we turned left and followed Academy Way Northards. We ran fowards onto Scotland Road and we followed it to the end before turning right onto Winwick Street. We entered the bus station from the Easternt end and we pulled onto a stand where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around the outside of the bus station. We saw Network Warrington 217 parked up in the layover area.

Network Warrington 217 in Warrington Interchange

We continued around to the West end of the bus station and we saw Network Warrington 93 on a #13 to Great Sankey.

Network Warrington 93 in Warrington Interchange

Another vehicle see was Arriva NW&W 2676 on a #329 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2676 in Warrington Interchange

We headed back into the bus station and Matthew used the toilet. Afterwards we went next door to the shop. We brought a Galaxy Caramel and a can of Irn Bru. We went and stood outside of the bus station to wait for the next #7 to Liverpool. Matthew ate the Galaxy Caramel and we watched the buses coming and going. A short time later we saw Arriva NW&W 3060 arrive on a #7 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3060 in Warrington Interchange

We went into the bus station and we sat down as we waited for the bus to be readied for service. On the adjacent stand was Network Warrington 82 on a #32 to Widnes.

Network Warrington 82 in Warrington Interchange

When the bus was ready we got on Arriva NW&W 3060 and we flashed the Arriva Daysaver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards out to the bus station under the shopping centre and we came out on Legh Street. We turned right onto Sankey Street and we ran forwards onto the A5061. We crossed over the Wset Coast main line just North of Warrington Bank Quay railway station and we crossed over the roundabout onto Thewlis Street. We ran through Sankey Brdiges and we crossed over the Sankey Brook and St Helens Canal. We turned left onto the A562 and we ran through Penketh. At a large roundabout be ran forwards onto the A5080 and we continued Westwards into for a few miles until we crossed over the A557. We ran into Lunt's Heath and we ran over a couple of roundabout and continued Westwards through Cronton. We continued Westwards for a further mile or so and we crsooed over the roundabout of the M62 and M57. We continued along the A5080 and we turned right onto Meadow Drive. We turned left onto Manor Farm Road and right onto St Johns Road. We turned left onto Huyton Hey Road and we ran under the railway line. We turned left into the bus station and we ran around onto the stand. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Arriva NW&W 2167 on a #3 to Huyton Industrail Estate.

Arriva NW&W 2167 in Huyton bus station

We realised that we had not passed a #7 going back towards Warrington recently and there was one due. This meant we could head back to Cronton and Catch a bus Southwards from there to Widnes. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2582 on a #9E to Liverpool. A few minutes later our bus appeared. Asd it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4727 on a #7 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 4727 in Huyton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva LCR+ Daysaver tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Huyton Hey Road. We turned right onto St John's Road and we turned left onto Manor Road Farm. We turned right onto Meadow Drive and left onto the Eastbound A5080. We crossed the M62 / M57 roundabout and we saw Arriva NW&W 3077 coming the other way. We ran for around a mile through the countryside and we ran into Cronton. It was dark and this was the first time we had been along this route. I had worked out that if we got off at the right place we could catch a bus Southwards into Widnes. At the other end of Cronton we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4727 as it continued towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 4727 in Cronton

Once off the bus I checked the bus map. It appeared we needed to carry on Eastwards for about 1/2 mle to the junction with the B5419. We stood at the stop on the jucntion, but when we checked the stop it didn't have the #17 ln the information. We walked around the corner onto the B5419 and we waited for the bus towards Widnes. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva NW&W 2962 on a #17 to St Helens. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 2695 on a #17 to Widnes.

Arriva NW&W 2695 in Lunts Heath

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva LCR+ Daysaver tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the B5419 and we ran past Widnes railway station. We turned left onto Lockett Road and we turned right onto Peel House Lane. We ran forwards onto the B5178 and we crossed over the roundabout and ran into the bus station. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2695 as it ran off to turn around.

Arriva NW&W 2695 in Widnes

On the opposite was Network Warrington 76 on a #32 to Warrington.

Network Warrington 76 in Widnes

We walked back to the car and Matthew had a large can of Irn Bru. We set off onto Green Oaks Way and we did a U-turn at the roundabout to headed Southwards. We continued onto Lugsdale Road and we stopped at the end to visit Tony's Chip Shop. We just got there in time as he was about to close. Matthew had sausage and chips. We sat in the car nearby and we ate the food. When we had finished we turned around and we turned right onto Lugsdale Road. We turned into Tesco and we stopped at the petrol station. We filled up with petrol and afterwards we re-joined Lugsdale Road. We turned right to re-join the A557 and we headed Northwards up to the motorway. We travelled North for around 3 mile before we turned right onto the Eastbound M62. At junction 10 we got onto the Southbound M6 and we headed Southwards through Cheshire. As we travelled South we saw an unidentified Happy Als coach. and an unidentified Travellers Choice coach. At junction 16 we went South down the A500 through Longport and Etruria into Stoke. On the A500 we saw South Staffs Coach Hire KBZ 772(RR). We came off the A500 and we diverted onto Wheildon Road. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. He also had some of uncle Rob's Irn Bru. We updated uncle daves calendar to show recent activity. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Earlestown / St Helens 07-07-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
1051	Earlestown BS	Wargrave, o/s St Davids Church	34A	Arriva NW&W
1050	Wargrave, o/s Labour Club	Earlestown BS	34A	Arriva NW&W
2212	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	20	Arriva NW&W
2983	St Helens BS	New Boston, opp Vista Road	320	Arriva NW&W
2212	New Boston, adj Vista Road	Blackbrook, adj Ireland Road	20	Arriva NW&W
7634	Blackbrook, adj Stanton Close	New Boston, opp Vista Road	20	Arriva NW&W
2212	New Boston, opp Vista Road	Earlestown BS	20	Arriva NW&W
7563	Earlestown BS	Earlestown, opp Newton College	34	Arriva NW&W

Today we went to Earlestown. We hadn't made any plans for today but Matthew insisted on going out again. We gave him a list of places he had been before plus Earlestown. I had visited this place recently I thought it would be a good place to take Matthew. Matthew of course chose Earlestown! No planning had been done whatsoever for this trip, although I did have paper copies of the #34 and the #x20 Arriva timetables in my possession. The weather had been really bad the day before, and so we looked at the weather forecast with great interest. The forecast for today was for sunshine and showers. We set off around 12:15 and headed North. We went North along the M6 until we reached the A49. We then went through Winwick and then on to Newton-le-Willows railway station. We asked Matthew if he wanted to do just Arriva bubs or do anything and he chose anything, and so we purchased Saveaway tickets so we could potentially catch any bus in Merseyside and the Wirral (or even a train too!). We then drove on to Earlestown. We drove straight through town and out the other side missing the turning for the bus station. As we drove around we saw 3 scania's working on #34 or #34A's including required 1042. After we turned around we parked up in free car park adjacent to the bus station. First order of the day was to eat and so we visited a cafe called Crumpets just around the corner from the bus station. We sat inside and ordered 3 breakfasts and a sausage sandwich. After breakfast we used the facilities before walking back to the bus station. We got back to the bus station and there was a dud Dart on the #34 to St Helens, 2213. This is a bus we had been on earlier this year.

Arriva NW&W 2213 in Earlestown bus station

The plan at this point was to wait until 14:25 for a Leigh bound #34. As we waited we saw a #34A, and it was required 1051 so we decided to do it. Once again mum came with us. We got on and decided to do it part way around the end and then get off and wait 20 minutes for the following service. When we got to the turning point of the bus we got off. Matthew got a picture of this soon to be withdrawn step-entranced bus.

Arriva NW&W 1051 in Wargrave

We got off and although there was a shelter here there was no seat, so we decided to walk back into town one stop. It was now warm and sunny. The humidity made it feel very uncomfortable even though it was on a round 20'. We gave Matthew a drink to try and cool him down. After nearly 20 minutes we could see the reflection of the bus on the shops as it approached from around the corner. It was another Scania! As it got closer we could see it was required 1050.

Arriva NW&W 1050 in Wargrave

We got on the near empty bus and rode back into Earlestown. A few more people got on and off and by the time we got back into the bus station the bus had emptied again. Back at the bus station we were going o wait for a #34 towards Leigh. At this point mum was going to go fetch the sausage rolls whilst we did a quick out and back. The #34 to Leigh turned up and it was some kind of Pulsar so Matthew turned it down. At the same time a #20 to St Helens came in and it was required Arriva 2212. Matthew got the picture.

Arriva NW&W 2212 in Earlestown bus station

We decided to do this, with the plan being we could do this part way and then get another #20 back. Forgetting about the fact that the #20 goes past Earlestown., I thought that we could probably make it to Haydock for the next #20 back, but as we left Earlestown, we passed required Dennis Dart 7634 going the other way. We revised the plan, thinking that we could go most of the way to St Helens and then get off for the next Earlestown bus. Matthew had other ideas! He decided he wanted to go to St Helens and that we did. When we got there Matthew photographed the inside of the bus.

Inside 2212

St Helens bus station is quite a busy place,so the plan was to get on a bus as quickly as possible. As we walked around the bus station we saw Arriva Dart 2133. We also saw ex Arriva Winsford Dart 7644. we were walking towards where the #34 and #20's depart and we saw KX59 CYW on a #138 followed by Hatton's interesting Dennis Dart P655 HEG.

Hatton's P655 HEG in St Helens bus station

As Scania 1053 appeared on stand going back towards Leigh, Matthew spotted a #320 with Arriva 2983 in charge. We decided to do this to Haydock and then to wait for the next #20. As we left town we passed the Earlestown #20 which was Arriva 2695. We also passed Arriva 7634 heading back into St Helens. We got off and 2695 was right behind us.

Arriva NW&W 2695 in Haydock

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said no. Right behind this was Arriva 2212 on a #20 to Haydock. It waited for a few minutes and then went around the square bit to got back to St Helens. It was at this point that we realised that the #20 Haydock and the #20 Earlestown bus services interwork. We decided to do this bus again to try and get Arriva 7634 on its next service which was going to be a short to Haydock. We got off in an area called Blackbrook. Matthew spotted a shop and we went in to get some drinks of Coke and a Milky Way. We crossed the road and waited for the bus, it was due around 16:19 from here. Bang on time the bus appeared and we had worked out correctly that it was required Arriva 7634!

Arriva NW&W 7634 in Blackbrook

We did this service to the end of the run and then we had a 15 minute wait for the service to Earlestown. I now contacted mum to tell her we were on our way and she said she was going to get lollies for us to help cool down. The next #20 through to Earlestown was of course going to be 2212 which we got on for the third time that day after Matthew got his picture.

Arriva NW&W 2212 in Haydock

We did the bus back and the journey was quick. It is only booked to take 7 minutes. As we got into Earlestown bus station we could see a Dart on the #34 Leigh stop. It was required Dart 7563 and Matthew got a picture.

Arriva NW&W 7563 in Earlestown bus station

We should have gone back to the car at this point but Matthew was edging forwards. It is due for withdrawal soon being one of the older Darts in the Arriva fleet and Matthew wanted to do it. I told him he could only do the bus for a couple of stops and then I would have to call mum to tell her where to pick us up. I told her the plan by phone and I said I would call her back when I could direct her to pick us up. We did the bus out of the bus station,past Morrison's and the up Cross Lane. We got off the bus in Cross Lane towards the end. Matthew got a picture of this fine beast.

Arriva NW&W 7563 in Cross Lane

I called mum and gave her directions. It was nor starting to rain. Mum appeared a couple of minutes later an we got in the car. It then proceeded to bucket down. We ate our lollies and sausage rolls and then set off. We headed back onto the A572 and then followed directions for the M6 which took us onto the A580/M6 roundabout in Haydock. After joining the M6 we headed South through the heavy rain showers. The weather had cleared up again through Cheshire but as we reached junction 16 the rain started up again. Down the A500 and then the A34 to Newcastle it was raining heavily all the way. We went past the First garage and new liveried First Potteries 40018 was outside the depot. We went past the bus station and then along the A34 to Hanford. Matthew directed us back onto the Northbound A500 and then the Eastbound A50 to longton. Instead of directing us towards the Z Carz depot he took us back through fenton and then past Duke Street to Heron Cross. We then drove back home getting in the house a few minutes after 18:00 where we had Sausages and mash for tea...Mark