Trip to Telford / Shrewsbury 05-02-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3736	Telford BS	Madeley Centre (Stand B)	1	Arriva Midlands
3334	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	Telford BS	4	Arriva Midlands
3697	Telford BS	Shrewsbury BS	X5	Arriva Midlands
2989	Shrewsbury BS	Battlefield, Adj Red Lion	511	Arriva Midlands
3699	Battlefield,Opp Red Lion	Shrewsbury BS	64	Arriva Midlands
2507	Shrewsbury BS	Shrewsbury, Shirehall	8	Arriva Midlands
3755	Shrewsbury, Shirehall	Telford BS	X5	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Telford. Research consisted of looking on the Arriva Website to look a t tickets and checking the weather which was for mainly dry and cloudy with rain moving in during the early evening. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had orange juice and toast for breakfast. We got ready and we set off to pick up uncle Dave around 11:50. We set off through Blurton and 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. After picking up uncle Dave we continued down Wheildon Road and under the railway line. WE crossed over the canal and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran up to City Road and we had intended to turn right and straight back onto the A500. There seemed to be a problem with the right turn filter lane, so we turned right onto City Road and went under the railway bridge. We went to the roundabout and we turned 180' and back to the A500. We joined the Southbound A500 and we ran through Hanford to the end of the A500. We turned left onto the A519 and we passed Longmynd Travel D10 LMT coming the other way. We continued Southwards through Eccleshall and we ran down to the A41 Newport bypass. We joined the Southbound A518 and we headed towards Telford. We had decided that we would eat in a cafe in Dawley which is a couple of miles South of Telford. We ran down to Trench and we turned left onto the Southbound A442. We turned right onto the B4373 and we continued Southwards for a few miles over the M54. At Malinslee we veered left onto King Street and we ran into Dawley. We turnd left onto Captain Webb Drive and we entered the main town car park and parked up. Once we had parked up we walked through a passageway onto High Street and we headed to the Cafe. When we got there the cafe was closed! We decided to headed across the way to the sandwich shop and we brough Matthew a sausage sandwich, a sausage roll and a slice of chocolate cake. He also had a bottle of Coke. Once the food was ready we headed back to the car and we sat and ate the food in the car. When we had finished eating we set off on the last couple of miles into Telford town centre. We turbed onto Captain Webb Drive and we turned left onto King Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto the B5072. We headed Westwards and at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Malinsgate. We continued onto Northfield Street. We parked up at the Southfields retail park and we said goodbye to mum. We headed towards Northfield Street and we saw Arriva Midlands 2402 running out of service towards the bus station.

Arriva Midlands 2402 in Telford bus station

We crossed over the road and we had a walk around the bus station. We saw Arriva Midlands 3784 on a #5 to Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3784 in Telford bus station

We headed into the shopping centre and Matthew used the facilities. After we had finished in the shopping centre we walked back into the bus station where we saw Arriva Midlands 3736 on a #1 Sutton Hill circular service.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Telford bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and we purchased a West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket at £12.50 before sitting down towards the back of the bus. This is a bus that we have done on at least 3 occasions previously! The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Northfield Street. We continued onto Malinsgate and at the roundabout we turned left onto Brunal Road. We followed the road through the Malinslee estate and we ran forwards onto Church Road. We turned left onto Mount Road and right onto Eyton Road. We turned right onto Johnston Road and left onto Worcester Road and we passed Arrive Midlands 3322 on a #2 to Telford. We turned right onto Lancaster Avenue and left onto King Street and we headed into Dawley. We ran forwards onto New Street and we turned left onto Finger Road. We turned right onto New Road and right onto Webb Crescent. We turned left onto Manor Road and right onto Deepfield Road. We followed the road around to the left onto Trinity Road and we headed Southwards. We turned left onto HOlly Road and we continued forwards onto Old Vicarage Road. We turned right onto Southall Way and we veered left onto Southall Road. We turned right onto Brookside Avenue and we ran around the edge of the Brookside estate. We turned left onto Bridgenorth Road and we continued Southwards. We crossed the Cuckoo Oak roundabout and we continued Southwards to the Sutton Hill Roundabout. We ran forwards onto Sutton Way and we did a complete circuit of the Sutton Hill estate before heading back Northwards up Bridgenorth Road. We turned left onto Queen Street and we crossed over the roundabout onto Madeley High Street. In the centre of town we veered left to stay on High Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3736 as it continued on it's journey back to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Madeley

Once off the bus we considered what to do next. We saw Arriva Midlands 2520 on a #18 to Much Wenlock.

Arriva Midlands 2520 in Madeley

We heard a bus pull up around the corner. It was Arriva Midland 3334 on a #4 to Leegomery. Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet. After using the toilet we noticed the bus was still around the corner as it was waiting time before taking the working back North. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he decided that he would. Matthew got a picture of Arriva Midlands 3334 before we got on it.

Arriva Midlands 3334 in Madeley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. It turns out we have been on this bus before from Leegomery to Oakengates back in October 2019. We ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Mound Way. At the roundabout we went West along the B4373 before turning ritgh into Woodside Avenue. We ran around the Woodside estate before turning left onto the Northbound B4373. We ran up the the big roundabout and we turned right onto the A4169. We ran forwards onto the A442 and at the next junction we came off onto Stirchley Avenue. At the next roundabout we ran forwards onto St Quentins Gate and then forwards agin onto Northfield Street and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we did another lap around the bus station to take a few pictures and see what we could catch. After getting back into the bus station I saw that Matthew was eying up Arriva Midlands 3697 on a the X5 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 3697 in Telford bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Northfield Street. We turned right onto Hall Park Way and we ran down to the motorway. We joined Westbound M54 and forwards onto the A5. We ran fast for around 20 minutes to the edge of Shrewsbury on to the Southern by-pass. We turned right onto A5064 and we headed Northwards into town. We ran past Lord Hill's Column. We ran forwards onto Abbey Foregate. We went around the English Bridge Gyratory and we crossed over the bridge. We ran forwards onto Wyle Cop. We followed the one-way system around town and we turned right onto Barker Street. We turned right onto the A458 and we turned right into the bus station. Once off the bus we walked around to get a few bus pictures. We saw Arriva Midlands 2988 on a #25 to Halescott Tesco.

Arriva Midlands 2988 in Shrewsbury bus station

We crossed over Raven Meadows to have a look at the buses in the layover area. We saw Tanat Valley 271 parked up in between runs on the #558 to Montgomery.

Tanat Valley 271 in Shrewsbury bus station

We crossed back over Raven Meadows and we saw Arriva Midlands 2535 on a #20 service to Radbrook Green.

Arriva Midlands 2535 in Shrewsbury bus station

Also seen was Arriva Midlands 2968 on a #11 to Gains Park.

Arriva Midlands 2968 in Shrewsbury bus station

Another vehicle seen was Arriva Midlands 2975 on a #24 to Harlescott Tesco.

Arriva Midlands 2975 in Shrewsbury bus station

We went back inside the bus station and we spotted Arriva Midlands 2989 on a #511 to Whitchurch.

Arriva Midlands 2989 in Shrewsbury bus station

Matthew decided he wanted to do this bus, so we waited for the bus to be readied for service. Once the driver was aboard, we got on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before sitting down towards the back of the bus. It turned out they we had already had this bus from Telford to Shrewsbury in October 2019. We set off out of the bus station onto Raven Mwadows and we turned right onto the A458. We turned left onto Chester Street and we turned right onto Cross Street and under the railway line. We turned left onto the A5191 and we headed Northwards out of town. I explained to Matthew that we could only go so far on this bus if he wanted to get 6 or more buses in for the day. We passed the roundabout with the Heathgates pub and we joined the Northbound A5112. We continued Northwards into Harlescott and past the Sundorne Retail park and the bus garage. We continued Northwards into the area know as Battlefield. It was at this point we decided to get up and get off the bus whilst we could still catch something back down to Shrewsbury in the opposite direction. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2989 as it continued Northwards towards Whitchurch.

Arriva Midlands 2989 in Battlefield

Once off the bus, Matthew had spotted the pub and decided he needed the toilet. We headed into the pub and Matthew used the facilities. We returned to the bar and Matthew had a small Coke. After finishing his drink we went outside and we had spotted that the Southbound #511 had not yet come past, so we crossed over the road and waited at the stop. A few minutes later another bus appeared. It was required Arriva Midlands 3699 on a #64 to Shrewsbury.

Arriva Midlands 3699 in Battlefield

We got on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off Southwards out of Battlefield down the A5112 and through Harlescott. At the roundabout we joined the Southbound A5191 and we ran into Shrewsbury town centre. We went under the railway line and we turned right onto the A458. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we saw Arriva Midlands 3756 going on layover.

Arriva Midlands 3756 in Shrewsbury bus station

We crossed over Raven Meadow and we went to look at the buses on layover. We saw Minsterley Motors YJ14 BBV between runs on the #435 service to Ludlow.

Minsterley Motors YJ14 BBV in Shrewsbury bus station

Whilst travelling down from Battlefield, I worked out that we could get another bus in by catching something heading out of town along Abbey Foregate. In the bus station we saw Arriva Midlands 2507 on a #8 to Sutton Hill.

Arriva Midlands 2507 in Shrewsbury bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto the A458 and we went left onto Chester Street. We turned right onto Cross Street and right onto Castle Foregate and past the railway station. We headed up the hill past the castle and we turned left onto St Mary's Street. We continued down the hill and we veered left onto Wyle Cop. We crossed over the English Bridge and we went under the railway line onto Abbey Foregate. We headed out of town in a South Easterly direction and we decided to get up and get off the bus outside of the Shirehall. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2507 as it contnued towards Sutton Farm.

Arriva Midlands 2507 in Shrewsbury

Once off the bus we walked down to the Sainbury's store and we got some Toffee Crisp and a bottle of Coke. We paied for the shopping and we headed back outside to meet up with uncle Dave. Whilst we waitd for the bus we saw Arriva Midlands 3693 on a #436 to Shrewsbury. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva Midlands 3755 on a X5 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 3755 in Shrewsbury

We got on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto the roundabout and we took the A5064 Southwards towards the bypass.

Arriva Midlands 2503 in Telford bus station

Arriva Midlands 3785 in Telford bus station

Trip to Cannock / Hednesford 25-01-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3702	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3619	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	26	Arriva Midlands
2221	Cannock BS	Norton Canes, adj St James Place	32	Arriva Midlands
2221	Norton Canes, adj Butts Lane	Cannock BS	32	Arriva Midlands
3759	Cannock BS	Heath Hayes, opp Five Ways Inn	60	Arriva Midlands
2289	Heath Hayes, adj Five Ways Inn	Cannock BS	33	Arriva Midlands
3736	Cannock BS	Hednesford BS	31	Arriva Midlands
3737	Hednesford BS	Cannock BS	32	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Cannock. The car had been in the garage for a few days and it was only fixed on Friday, so we made a late decision on where to go this week. Matthew had been looking at the West Midlands buses in photographs and it reminded me of how long it has been since our last visit. I had a quick look at the Arriva Midlands website and also re read the old Blog posts. A check of the weather revealed it there were rain showers due for Saturday afternoon. Matthew got up around 10:30 and he had toast and blackcurant juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:15 today, heading onto the A5035 and then onto the Northbound A34. We did this to Whitmore Road and then we joined the Southbound M6. which we did down to junction 12. We then did the last few miles into Cannock and parked in the multi-storey car park near the the bus station. We walked to the bus station and then we went into the shopping arcade so Matthew could use the toilet. we then walk back to the cafe in the arcade which overlook the bus station. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of cherry Coke. The cafe was busy and we had to wait a while for the food but it was freshly cooked, and it gave us a chance to see some of the buses that were out. Arriva Midlands 3601 was working the #70 to Wolverhampton, and we saw most of the buses on the Pye Green circulars. Arriva Midlands 2276/3617/3719/3761 were all seen on the #25s & #26s. When we had finished eating, we went out into the bus station to see what was about. One of the first thing we saw was Arriva Midlands 2291 working a #33 to Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2291 in Cannock bus station

Behind that was Arriva Midlands 3702 on the #31 to rugeley via Hednesford.

Arriva Midlands 3702 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this up to Hednesford as there is quite a frequent service to there and the fact that it was required! We got on the bus and booked our £4.20 Cannock Day Savers before we sat down near the back. The bus was empty at the back so Matthew took a picture of the back seats.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3702

The bus set off Northwards through Chadsmoor and then into Hednesford. When we got to the bus station we got off and Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3702.

Arriva Midlands 3702 in Hednesford bus station

We got off and we saw Arriva Midlands 3736 heading towards Cannock on a #31 service. We didn't have to wait for long when required Arriva Midlands 3619 appeared on the #26 Pye Green circular.

Arriva Midlands 3619 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and we sat down near the back. We set off out of the bus station and we headed North up towards the Pye Green transmitter before heading back South into Cannock along Pye Green Road. As we headed back the sky darkened and it was obvious we were in for some serious rainfall... We got back into Cannock bus station and Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3619.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3619

We got of the bus and it was starting to rain. We also had a loud clap of thunder and lightning was seen in the sky nearby. Matthew got a quick picture of Arriva Midlands 3619 before we headed into the shopping arcade.

Arriva Midlands 3619 in Cannock bus station

We went to the toilet and when we had done we headed back into the bus station. There had been approximately 1/2 inch of hail fall in the few minutes we had been away. We needed to get on a bus quickly so we didn't get wet. We spied an older Dart on a #32 to Brownhills. It was Arriva Midlands 2221 and We decided to do this bus.

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Cannock bus station

We had never been in this direction before so we asked the driver how far we could go on the Cannock Day Saver. The driver told us that we could go to the other side of Norton Canes. As we travelled Eastwards out of town we couldn't see where we were going very well because the sky was so dark and the windows were steamed up. I checked the Buses I have travelled on page only to discover we had already been on Arriva Midlands 2221 before! It turns out we had done this bus on the short trip from Uttoxeter bus station to the Foxes Biscuit factory when it was working the #4 town service back in July 2013. The buses headed through Hayes Heath and then on to Norton Canes. We were now looking for bus stops on the opposite side of the road that had bus shelters so if we were stuck there for a while we didn't get wet! We turned a corner inot Norton Canes Lane and we spotted a bus shelter on the opposite side of the road so we decided to get off. As we were getting off we passed required Arriva Midlands 3737 on a #32 to Hednesford. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2221 as it headed of towards Brownhills.

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Norton Canes

We crossed the road and went into the shelter. We were expecting to see times for both the #32 & #33 service on the bus stop, but it appears that there is a slight deviation on the #32 service through Norton Canes that didn't show up on the Cannock Network map available on the Arriva Midlands site. This meant that we only had #32 from this bus stop and the next one was nearly 30 minutes later. We decided to have a bus stop picnic, and Matthew had a Rice Crispy Squares and a bottle of Cola. We decided to go for a bit of a walk to see if we could get back on the #33 route and to help kill some time. We walked along Norton Green lane to the other end, past the railway Inn and the industrial estate. We couldn't see another bus stop in the distance so we decided to walk back to he shelter. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was Arriva Midlands 2221 again! We got on the bus and sat down near the back. This time the bus was nearly empty, the sky had lightened up a little and the windows had de-misted a little bit. We headed back into Heath Hayes and passed a large Tesco store before coming into Cannock via the railway station. When the bus got back into Cannock Matthew got off and got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2221

Arriva Midlands 2221 in Cannock bus station

If we were going to get 8 runs in today we need to catch another bus quickly. We saw required Arriva Midlands 3759 on a #60 service to Lichfield.

Arriva Midlands 3759 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this back up to Heath Hayes. We got on and as it was empty at the back of the bus so Matthew got a picture inside Arriva Midlands 3759.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3759

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. It took a different route up to Heath Hayes and we passed Arriva Midlands 3610 on a #62 from Lichfield. At the top of Hednesford Road we got off the bus and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3759.

Arriva Midlands 3759 in Heath Hayes

We crossed the road and almost immediatley the was a #60 back to Cannock which was another Pulsar II which we decided to let go. There was a #33 to Hednesford due a few minutes later so we hoped to get something better. Sure enough required MPD Arriva Midlands 2289 turned up.

Arriva Midlands 2289 in Heath Hayes

We got on and sat down near the back. We headed back down Hednesford Road and into Cannock via Tesco and Cannock railway station. When we got back to Cannock bus station Matthew let the bus empty before getting a picture inside Arriva Midlands 2289.

Inside Arriva Midlands 2289

We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 2289.

Arriva Midlands 2289 in Cannock bus station

We decided to have a few minutes in the bus station having a look at what was about and taking a few pictures. First we got a picture of Select Bus Services 6 which was on a #67 to Wolverhampton.

Select Bus Services 6 in Cannock bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 3602 departing on a #70 to Wolverhampton.

Arriva Midlands 3602 in Cannock bus station

Arriva Midlands Midlands 3729 had just arried on a #74 from Stafford.

Arriva Midlands 3729 in Cannock bus station

We then spotted dud Arriva Midlands 3736 on a #31 to Hednesford.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Cannock bus station

We decided to do this anyway, because we knew we could get something back quite quickly from Hednesford. We got on the bus and sat down near the back. The bus was empty towards the back so he took his picture when we got on.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3736

The bus set off Northwards through Chadsmoor and into Hednesford. This was our third trip on this bus having had it into Cannock in December 2012 and Stafford back in July 2012. It had now stopped raining and had brightened up nicely. We got off and Matthew got another picture of Arriva Midlands 3736.

Arriva Midlands 3736 in Hednesford bus station

We crossed the road as most of the services into Cannock go from the opposite side of the road. We saw required Arriva Midlands 2276 on the #25 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 2276 in Hednesford bus station

We decided to let this go a take a gamble on there being something more interesting on the #32 to Cannock due at 16:40. Whilst we waited we saw required Arriva Midlands 3608 on the #62 to Lichfield which we could have done instead.

Arriva Midlands 3608 in Hednesford bus station

A few minutes later we saw required but relative new Arriva Midlands 3737.

Arriva Midlands 3737 in Hednesford bus station

We got on the bus and as it was empty Matthew took his inside bus picture straight away.

Inside Arriva Midlands 3737

We sat down near the back. The bus had a rather unusual seat moquette for and Arriva bus. The bus set off and we headed back through Chadsmoor. As this was a #32 we also took in the hospital as we headed South. We then came out by the bus station and then we got off. Mum was in the cafe finishing off her cup of tea so matthew decided to take a few pictures. One of the was picturea was of Select Bus Service 5 on a #23A to Wimblebury.

Select Bus Services 5 in Cannock bus station

We also saw Arriva Midlands 2735 on a #2 to the Longford Estate.

Arriva Midlands 2735 in Cannock bus station

We then met up with mum and visited the toilet before heading by to the car via a sweet shop. Matthew brought a can of Coke and some some sweets and a chocolate bar. We went up to the car and we had sausage rolls and pop before we set off out of town. We headed down to the A5 and then onto the Northbound M6. It was now fully dark, and the traffic was moving well on the motorway. We headed back onto Whitmore Road and the A34 before doing the A5035 to Longton to see what was parked up at Z Carz. There was only one bus parked up on the spare ground and it was parked quite a distance from the road. It was LDV minibus M420 UEH.

Z Carz M420 UEH in Longton

In the compound was NU06 SAO from the taxi fleet and SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed onto the A50 which we did to Heron Cross. We drove Through Blurton passing First Potteries 42892 on the #22 and First Potteries 40028 on the #23. We got home a little after 18:00. For a late tea we had bangers and mash with carrots followed by cheesecake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:45..Mark