Trip to Bierley / Bradford 10-06-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
115	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Newcastle BS	1	D&G Bus
32648	Newcastle BS	Hanley BS	25	First Potteries
69151	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	6	First Potteries
35233	Bierley, Lynsey Gdns	Bradford Interchange	621	First West Yorkshire
35231	Bradford Interchange	Bierley, Sheldon Ridge	621	First West Yorkshire

Today we decided to re-visit Bradford, he was also going to Blurton later in the weekend. We hadn't done an overnight stay for a while and as it was Matthew's birthday recently, we decided to treat him to a night in Bradford! Research for the trip consisted of checking the weather, which was for warm mainly sunny weather with a chance of a shower and to check the tickets we could buy. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had toast and juice for breakfast. In the morning Matthew went out on a run to Hanley via Newcastle. We set off downstairs and we cut through onto City Road. As we walked to the bus stop we saw Afford rent-a-car YS21 KKG parked up in their garage.

Afford rent-a-car YS21 KKG in Fenton

We got to the bus stop and we waited for a bus to Newcastle. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. It was D&G Bus 115 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G Bus 115 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road and into the centre of Hartshill. We turned left into the Avenue and left again onto Hilton Road before turning right into the City General Hospital. hospital. As we travelled through the hospital we saw First Potteries 63034 on a #22 to Longton, ERS Medical FN20 BVE and ABC Supreme YA67 VBB. Once through the hospital we turned right onto the A34 and we ran into Newcastle. We crossed the roundabout and we ran up Barracks Road and into the bus station from the South end. Once we got to the bus station we got up and got off the bus. We set off on foot up Castle Walk and we visited Home Bargains. We walked up Castle Walk and we turned right into Ironmarket past the old RBS bank which has now The Bank Space. We turned left onto High Street and . We turned left onto barracks Road and we veered left onto Stubbs Street and into the bus station. We saw First Potteries 67143 on a #4 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67143 in Newcastle bus station

We waited for a bus rowards Hanley and a short time later we saw First Potteries 32648 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 32648 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we went upstairs. When it was time to go the bus set off out of the bus station and onto Barracks Road. We turned left at the roundabout onto the A34. we ran South as far as the hospital where we turned left. As we travelled through the hospital. We came out of the hospital and turned left onto Hilton Road. We ran into Hartshill and we turned right onto the A52. We ran down the hill into Stoke town centre and along Church Street. After a brief stop we continued along the A52, over the A500 and under the railway line. We followed the A52 to the left and we ran alongside the railway and onto Station Road. We passed the railway station and we turned right onto Stoke Road and we turned right onto Avenue Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto College Road. We ran up the hill through Shelton and we followed the road to the right onto Cleveland Road and Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road, continuing onto Bethesda Street. We turned right onto John Street and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Once in the bus station Matthew went to the toilet. We waited for a bus to Fenton and a short time later we saw First Potteries 69151 on a #6 to Park Hall.

First Potteries 69151 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off on foot down Victoria Road to the chip shop. We picked up dinner and a can of pop. When we had finished shopping we walked up Victoria Road and we turned sharp right onto City Road. We cut through onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Mathew went upstairs and he had his sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. Matthew chilled out in his room whilst he waited for up to pick him up. We came around 15:20 and Matthew packed the few things he needed into his bag and came downstairs and got in the car. Outside we saw white minibus K630 PBB. We set off along Temple Street and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto City Road and we headed down the hill into Stoke. We ran forwards onto the A52 and e went under the railway bridge. Wecrossed over the A500 and we turned right to join the Northbound A500. We headed up to the M6. As we travelled Northwards we saw Johnson Bros 11 JBT and concierge coaches S30 CCT. As we went around the roundabout to join the M6 we saw Gerrard's L33 GPH going towards Radway Green. We joined the Northbound M6 and progress was slow due to an earlier incident and Friday afternoon traffic. On the M6 we saw Brethertons GL22 HOL, Star BF21 ???, Alpine AL17 ALP, an unidentified JTK International coach, orange minibus TAZ 3906, (Direct?) Patient Transport NG21 MWM, P&M Coaches YN19 DXP. Near to Thelwall we were passed by Goldwings GE19 GWE.

Goldwings GE19 GWE on the M6

Continuing up the M6 we saw Hollinshead DH15 HOL and KBR escort vehicle CU13 HZD. We ran up to junction 21A and we joined the Eastbound M62. On the M62 we saw Edwards (NX) BV19 XRU 540 and Hough's of Lincolnshire YN69 XVJ. We joined the clockwise M60 and ran around the North side of Manchester. We continued onto the Eastbound M62 and we saw patient transport FJ22 FMU and Cranberry Coachways N3 EDW. At junction 26 we joined the Northbound M606. We turned right onto Merrydale Road and we ran under the M606. We turned right Roydsdale Way and we parked up in front of the Hotel. Once we had check into the hotel we had a short chill out and we took all our belongings up to the room. A short time later we set off on foot to the bottom of Bierley Lane. We left the hotel and we set off along Roydsdale Way. We turned right onto Merrydale Road and at the bend in the road we went forwards onto NCN route 66. WE joined Rockhill Lane and we turned left onto Bierley Lane. We continued up to the 2nd bus stop and we waited for the next bus towards Bradford. There should have been a #621 to Bradford at 19:15, but the bus which was First West Yorkshire 37730 seemed to sit in the interchange on the map for 10 minutes and disappear! So after about a 45 minute wait we saw First West Yorkshire 35233 run down to the turning circle and come back up the road on a #621 Heaton circular service.

First West Yorkshire 35233 in Bierley

We got on the bus and we booked singles to Bradford at £1 each before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off up Bierley Lane and we turned right onto Shetcliffe Lane. We turned left onto Ferrand Avenue and we turned left onto Burnham Avenue. We turned right onto the A6177 and we turned left onto Bowling Hall Road. We ran down the hill and we turned right onto Paley Road. We turned right onto Brassey Road. We ran forwards onto New Hey Road and at the end we turned left onto the A650. We ran the last 1/2 mile or so into town and we ran forwards onto Bridge Street before turning left into the interchange. We got up and got off the bus and we had a look around to see what was in the interchange. We saw First West Yorkshire 35639 on layover in between runs on the #72 to Leeds.

First West Yorkshire 35639 in Bradford Interchange

Also seen was First West Yorkshire 37366 on a #618 Allerton circular service.

First West Yorkshire 37366 in Bradford Interchange

As it was gone 20:00 there wasn't much choice of buses that we could do that night. We decided to get another #621 back to Bierley and we would meet mum and got to Asda to go get some food. We saw that there was a #621 to Bierley due in a few minutes and it was near to the town centre. We sat down for a few minutes and when it was close we alked over to the relevant stand. A few minutes later we saw First West Yorkshire 35231 on a the #621 to Bierley.

First West Yorkshire 35231 in Bradford Interchange

We got on the bus and we booked singles to Bradford at £1 each before going upstairs and sitting down. We set off out of the interchange and we turned right onto Bridge Street. We turnd left onto Croft Street and we turned right onto the Southbound A650. We travelled for around a mile or so before turning right onto New Hey Road. As we headed west we passed First West Yorkshire 35234 coming the other way on a #621 Heaton circular service. We turned right onto Brassey Road and left onto Paley Road. We turned left onto Bowling Hall Road and we ran up the hill. We turned left onto the A6177 and we wen to the roundabout before turning 180' and heading West. At the roundabout we turned left onto Bierley Lane and we headed down the hill. At the bottom of the hill we turned into the turning circle where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First West Yorkshire 35231 before it returned North towards Bradford.

First West Yorkshire 35231 in Bierley

We set off along foot down Bierley Lane and we turned right onto Rockhill Lane. We joined NCN route 66 and we came out onto Merrydale Road. We turned left onto Roydsdale Way and we saw mum driving up the hill. We got in the car and we set off along Roydsdale Way. We turned right onto Merrydale Road and we followed the road to the left onto Wharfedale Road. We turned right onto Rockhill Lane and we turnd left onto Bierley Lane. We ran up the hill and we crossed over the A6177 and into Asda. Matthew used the toilet and we brought food to make sandwiches and a few snacks. once we had finished shopping we got in the car and we set off out of the car pask. We crossed over the A6177 and we headed down Burnham Avenue. We turned right onto Ferrand Avenue and right onto Shetcliffe Lane. at the mini roundabout we turned left onto Bierley Lane and right onto Rockhill Lane. We turned left onto Wharfedale Road and we followed the road onto Marrydale Road. We turned left into Roydsdale Way and we returned to the hotel. Once back in the we had chicken sandwiches, sausage rolls, frazzles washed down with Fanta and Cherry Coke. For dessert we had a small egg custard. We wrote e-mails and up loaded pictures to Flickr. Matthew settled down to bed around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Chorley / Leyland 07-02-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
15583	Chorley TI	Horwich, Lee Lane/The Crown (Stop A)	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15571	Horwich, Lee Lane/The Crown (Stop B)	Chorley TI	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
47326	Chorley TI	Towngate, Tesco (Stand F)	109	Stagecoach Lancashire
47333	Towngate (Leyland), Tesco (Stop B)	Chorley TI	109	Stagecoach Lancashire
15570	Chorley TI	Adlington, o/s Library	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
15573	Adlington, By Church Street	Chorley TI	125	Stagecoach Lancashire

Today we decided to re-visit Chorley. The weather was forecast for cold and cloudy in all directions, so we could choose to go wherever we wanted to within reason. Matthew got up just after 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We gave Matthew a list of places to go and he chose Chorley. research consisted of looking at Google Maps to look at directions and a quick check of past Blog posts to see what ticket we need to buy. we set off just before 12:00 and we headed onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we passed D&G Solo 134 on the Blurton Plumline. We carried on down until we reached the A50 and we went West to the A500. Once we got to the A500 we went North. On the way North we passed coach WNF 26 going the other way. We got on the Northbound M6 and we saw Clayton Cunningham Travel minibus V938 ECU. We carried on North and we came off the M6 at Junction 27. In standish the Road to the North was Blocked so we travelled East to the A6. We came into town along the A6. On the edge of town we turned into Fleet Street car park so that we could go eat in Big Lamp chippy. Matthew had sausage egg and chips and a can of Coke. After we had finisged eat we drove into town and attempted to park in the square car park adjacent to the bus station. It was full, so we decided to leave mum with the car whilst she went shopping elsewhere. We said goodbye and we set off on foot to the bus station. On the way we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 34745 on the #109 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34745 in Chorley interchange

As we got into the bus station Transdev Lancashire Untied 567 arrived on the #24 from Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 567 in Chorley Interchange

There was Nothing else in the bus station so we decided to have a walk around the bus station and have a look at the coaches on rail replacement. We also saw Stagecoach Lancashire Dart 34743 which was on layover.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34743 in Chorley interchange

Across the road on rail replacement work was Brethertons BC05 JVU.

Brethertons BC05 JVU in Chorley

The bus station had now filled up a little. On a #125 to Bolton was required Stagecoach Lancashire 15579.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15579 in Chorley interchange

On a #362 to Wigan was required Arriva NW&W 2687.

Arriva NW&W 2687 in Chorley interchange

On a #1 service to Coppull was dud Stagecoach Lancashire Solo 47331.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47331 in Chorley interchange

We headed back to the bus station and we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 47327 on a #7 to Croston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47327 in Chorley interchange

Back in the bus station we were considering doing the #109 to Leyland, but when it came in it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 34620.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34620 in Chorley interchange

We then saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 on a #125 to Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 in Chorley interchange

We decided to do Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 as we had only been to Horwich once before from this direction. This is a bus that we first had back in June 2013 from the other end of Horwich to Bolton. We got on the bus and we booked Chorley Dayrider Plus tickets at £4.50. We went upstairs and as the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15583

The bus set off out of the bus station and we headed South on the A6. A few miles South of town the bus usually takes the A673 Bolton Road, but the road is currently closed. We continued South along the A6 adjacent to the canal and we came into Adlington, where there is also roadworks. We turned left onto Railway Road and then we turned right onto the A673 in Anderton. We continued South on the A673 and we crossed under the M61. We passed the bottom end of Rivington Reservoir and then we headed into Horwich. The ticket is only valid to the pub at the north end of town so as we approached the roundabout we got up and then got off the bus. Matthew then took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 before it carried on South to Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15583 in Horwich

We crossed the road to wait for the next bus. According to the timetable there are 5 #125 an hour to Chorley and a single #517. There was a #517 due first before the next #125 at 14:46. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw a few First and Arriva buses on the roundabout including First Manchester Volvo B10 66194 on the #575 which was in the new 'Olympia' livery. We then saw South Lancs Travel Dart 7 on the #517 to Blackrod. A few minutes later a bus arrived and it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15571. We got on the bus and flashed the Dayrider tickets before going upstairs. Two dud buses out of two so far... This was a bus that we first had from Walton-le-Dale to Preston back in October 2013. which is a little unlucky. We realised that if we got back to Chorley for 15:10 we would make the next #109 service. The bus set off across the roundabout and up the A673. We passed the reservoir and under the M61 and we came into Anderton. We turned left and went towards Adlington before turning right onto the A6. We climbed the hill and went past Frederick ice cream parlour an made the final run into town. We got into the bus station around 15:05 and we saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 on the #109.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 in Chorley interchange

We also had the choice of doing required Stagecoach Lancashire 15584 which was on a #125, but we fancied going to Leyland for ice cream. So we turned it down and got on dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47326. We flashed the tickets and we sat down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the Northbound A6. We turned into left into Union Street. The bus started to load so Matthew took a picture of the empty seats opposite him in case he didn't get another opportunity.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47326

Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 is a bus we first had from Leyland to Chorley back in February 2014. The bus carried on West along the A581 and we passed Tesco and saw dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47329 on a #2 to Coppull. We crossed he railway line and we turned North onto the A49. In Euxton we turned East on Euxton Lane and we headed out towards Buckshaw village. Going North though the village we turned West to head into Leyland. We crossed the M6 and the railway and we headed into town along St Andrew's Way where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 as it carried towards Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47326 in Leyland

We walked around the back of Tesco's and we saw coule of buses on Towngate. We spotted Fishwicks 28 on a #111 to Preston

Fishwick's 28 in Leyland

This was followed by required Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 on a #109 to Chorley.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47335 in Leyland

We went to Ice Dreams and Coffee Beans for our usual ice cream. Matthew visited the toilet before having a vanilla cornet (£1.60). Once we had finished we headed out onto Towngate to wait for the bus back to Chorley. We headed ack onto Towngate to wait for the next Chorley bus. Stagecoach Lancashire 34620 turned up and we got on it, not realising it was on a #113 to Wigan! We got back off to wait for the #109 and when it turned up it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 47333.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47333 in Leyland

We got on the bus and we flashed our Dayrider Tickets and we sat down near to the back of the bus. Stagecoach Lancashire 47333 was a bus that we last had in August 2014 from Chorley to Leyland. The bus set off towards and through Buckshaw Village before heading through Euxton. We turned onto the A581 and we headed into town. When we got into the bus station we waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47333.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 47333

We needed to catch something quickly if we were going to get another couple of buses in before we went home. Matthew went to the toilet and when he came out we saw required Transdev Lancashire United 1302 on the #24 to Blackburn. Matthew wanted to do this but we didn't have the right bus tickets. On local service #2 to Coppull was Stagecoach Lancashire 47332.

Stagecoach Lancashire 47332 in Chorley Interchange

We considered what to catch next... Two bus came in that were both Bolton bound. Required Stagecoach Lancashire 15580 came in first followed by dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15570.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Chorley interchange

Stagecoach Lancashire 15580 must have been late because it dropped off passengers only and went straight out. We were left with Stagecoach Lancashire 15570. We decided to do this dud bus as we were running out of time. We got on the bus and we flashed the tickets before going upstairs. there were people front and back on this bus so he didn't take a picture inside. As we waited to go required Stagecoach Lancashire 34783 pulled in alongside us on the #109 to Preston.

Stagecoach Lancashire 34783 in Chorley interchange

We set off and we went South on the A6. We ha decided that we were going to go to Adlington and get a bus back. We passed the closed A673 and we followed the canal before coming into Adlington. We were stopped at the lights in the roadworks and a bus went past going the other way. We turned the corner and crossed the railway and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 as it climbed the hill towards Anderton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 in Adlington

We decided to walk back into toan and visit the Co-op there. We crossed over the road and we saw a coach at the traffic lights. We decided to walk up to and get a picture of Redline Coaches Volvo coach 17 RED

Redling 17 RED in Adlington

We went to the Co-operative food store and we brought a can of Coke, a double Milky Way and a Kinder Egg. We walked up to the stop on Westhoughton Road opposite a church converted into an Indian Restaurant. We didn't have to wait for long before we saw a bus approaching. It got closer and we saw it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15573.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 in Adlington

We got on the bus and we flashed the tickets for the last time. We actually managed to do it. We had six buses and non of them were required... And that with a 130 mile round trip to get to the buses in the first place. I think that is the first time that has happened when we have been on short local trips. We went upstairs and Matthew got a picture inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 before we sat down.

Inside Stagecoach Lancashire 15573

This was a bus that we had been on before from Horwich to Bolton back in August 2013. In fact we did Stagecoach Lancashire 15570 for Stagecoach Lancashire 15573 on that day too. It's the third bus that we have previously done from that date today! The bus set off North up the A6 along side the canal. We past the closed junction with the A673 and we headed up the hill into town. When we got there we got up and got off the bus. We set off on foot to the car and we saw Stagecoach Lancashire 34602 on the #115 to Preston. Back at the car mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls.We set off South down the A6 and we turned at Wigan Road. We briefly stop at the end of the road to get some pop out of the boot before continuing to Standish. We too a different route back to the M6 along the A5209 before getting on the motorway at junction 27. We headed South and it was now completely dark. The motorway was clear and we had a good fast run down to junction 16 with the exception of the roadworks near to Sandbach. We got onto the Southbound A500 and we came off at the A50. We did the A50 to Longton and we came off to see what was at Z Carz tonight. by the A5035 we saw First Potteries 60193 on the #22 from Dresden to Newcastle. There was one minibus on the spare ground near to the depot. This was Z carz Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row and there was omly on bus in the compound. We headed back onto the A5 and we came off at Heron Cross. In Blurton we passed First Potteries 60073 on the #22 to Dresden before we turned into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 19:00. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by coconut cake. He then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 03:00... Mark