Trip to St Helens / Liverpool Airport 29-04-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2716	Earlestown BS	St Helens BS	34	Arriva NW&W
2706	St Helens BS	Prescot BS	89	Arriva NW&W
66	Prescot BS	Huyton BS	61	Halton Transport
2691	Huyton BS	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	89	Arriva NW&W
4123	Liverpool John Lennon Airport	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	81A	Arriva NW&W
2707	Hunts Cross station, Stop A	St Helens BS	89	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit St Helens. We checked the weather for today and it was for dry, cool weather throughout the North West and West Midlands. We gave Matthew a list of destination from Midlands and north West and from the list Matthew chose St Helens. As is usually the case we were driving to Earlestown to have dinner before catching a bus up to St Helens. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 and we ran down to the A5035. We saw First Potteries 67638 on a #22 to Longton. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and we saw Events Management minibus DS65 UJF outside the BET365 Stadium. We went West along the A50 and then North up the A500 as far as Shelton where we came off onto Shelton New Road to go the the gas garage. After filling up with gas as I turned the car I gently touched the bumper of another car as I reverse to turn around. The bloke whose car it was saw me hit it and I got out to have a look. Lucilky I saw going slowly and there was no damage! We went West along the A53 and we passed First Potteries 65732 on a #4 to Hanley. At Etruria we joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled North to the M6 we passed S&S Travel M940 JBO & Barratt's coach P50 BCL. We got onto the Northbound M6 and we were at a near standstill. After a short while traffic got moving and after that we made reasonable time. As we travelled North we passed an unidentified Vision coach, Park's of Hamilton KSK 985 & John Musso YD60 CXA. We came off the M6 at junction 21A and we went Westwards along the M62 for one junction before joining the Northbound A49. As Matthew wanted to do a multi operator ticket we stopped at newton-le-Willows station to pick up a Saveaway day ticket to use on the bus later. Outside the railway we saw Olympia Travel OSV 519 / S19 JOB & Davron LN55 PHZ. Once we had picked up the tickets we continued up the A49 though the centre of Newton-le-Willows and we turned left onto the A572. We went Westwards to Earlestown and we ran into the centre of Earlestown along Market Street and Tamworth Street and we parked up in the car park. We walked past the bus station and we went into 'The Nine Arches' for dinner. After using the toilet Matthew had a burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked outside to the bus station. I had left the bag in the pub with mum. Whilst I returned into the pub to get the bag we saw Arriva NW&W 2729 on a #34A service to Acorn Street.

Arriva NW&W 2729 in Earlestown bus station

Once I had returned from getting the bag from mum, we saw Arriva NW&W 2716 on a #34 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 2716 in Earlestown bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Tamworth Street. We ran out of town along Market Street and at the end we turned left onto the A572. We ran West for a few miles into Parr and we joined the A58 on the eastern edge of town. We ran into the centre of town along Corporation Street and we followed the one way system around onto Bickerstaffe Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2716 before it returned to Newton-le -Willows on the next #34A service.

Arriva NW&W 2716 in St Helens bus station

Once we got off the bus we had a look around and took a few bus pictures. Further along Bickerstaffe Street we saw Arriva NW&W 724 on a #33 to Sutton Manor.

Arriva NW&W 724 in St Helens bus station

There seemed to be some work being carried out in the bus station at the moment. On of the rows of stands were out of use and the tardis style toilet had been removed. On Corporation Street we saw Arriva NW&W 2694 on a #352 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2694 in St Helens bus station

We saw another Volvo approaching and it was on a #89 so we walked to the middle set off stands to try and get there before the bus did. The bus beat us onto the stand and as we got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2706.

Arriva NW&W 2706 in St Helens bus station

We decided to do the ageing Volvo anyway as we probably would get too many more runs on these buses before they are withdrawn from service. Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw Arriva NW&W 680 on a #35 to St Helens Junction station.

Arriva NW&W 680 in St Helens bus station

The bus was readied for service and we got on Arriva NW&W 2706. We flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Bickerstaffe Street. We ran forwards onto Cotham Street and we turned left onto Ormskirk Road. We followed the road around onto Bridge Street and we stopped at the the bottom of the hill to pick up more passengers. We joined the A58 and we passed Hatton's SN56 AXB on a #12 town circular service. We ran West along the A58 as far as Grange Park golf course where we turned right onto Freckleton Road. We ran through the housing estate to the South of the A58 and onto Scholes Lane. At the end we turned left onto Portico lane and we ran past Eccleston Park railway station. We ran South and joined the B5201 and opposite the Whiston Hospital we turned right onto the A57. We ran West and around the North side of Prescot before we turned left into Church Street before we entered Prescot bus station from the Western end. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2706 before it carried on towards Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Arriva NW&W 2706 in Prescot bus station

Once we got off the bus we went around the corner to the Sun Inn. Matthew went to the toilet and then we brought a can of Coke. We walked back to the bus station with the intention of catching the next #89 to Liverpool Airport. Whilst we waited for the bus we saw Cumfybus YJ12 GXO on a #139 to St Helens.

Cumfybus YJ12 GXO in Prescot bus station

As we had a saveaway ticket we decided that we could catch the next bus to Huyton and catch a #89 forwards to Liverpool Airport. There was a #61 to Liverpool due a few minutes before the #89 so decided that we would do that. The bus came around the corner into the bus station and we saw it was required Halton Transport 66 on a #61 to Liverpool.

Halton Transport 66 in Prescot bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran down towards the shops and we passed an ex London double decker on a #139 service. We headed South down Sewell past the shops and forwards onto Hall Lane. We went forwards onto Cross Lane ans at the end we turned right onto Dragon Lane. We ran near to Whiston railwat station and then forwards onto Windy Arbour Road. We continued South over the M57/M62 and onto a large roundabout over the motorways. We turned right onto Tarbock Road and we went North past Huyton Industrial Estate where we saw an unidentified green Routemaster with an all over Crabbies advertisement which we believe to be RMC 1459. We turned right onto Meadow Drive and left onto Manor Farm Road. We turned right onto St John's Road and then left onto Huyton Hey Road. We then turned left into Huyton bus station and we saw the #89 on stand. We got up and got off the bus but the #89 to Liverpool Airport left before we could get to it. We decided to go outside the bus station and take a few picture whilst we waited for the next #89. Whilst there we saw Arriva NW&W 4590 on a #10B to Huyton.

Arriva NW&W 4590 in Huyton bus station

A few minutes later we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 47327 on a #163 service to Fazakerley.

Stagecoach Merseyside 47327 in Huyton bus station

Matthew ate a Milky Way whilst we waited for it to be time to go and catch the bus. Just before we left the spot we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 27701 on a #227 to Kirby.

Stagecoach Merseyside 27701 in Huyton bus station

We set off towards the bus station and on the way we saw Arriva NW&W 3047 on a #7 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3047 in Huyton bus station

We walked into the bus station and we only had to wait for a short while before required Arriva NW&W 2691 appeared on a #89 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Arriva NW&W 2691 in Huyton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway Day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and onto Lathom Road. We turned left onto the B5199 and we ran Westwards out of town. At the next roundabout we went left onto the B5080. After around 1/2 milw we turned right onto Wheat Hill Road. We crossed under the M62 and we ran forwards onto Naylor's Road. At the end we turned right onto Childwall valley Road and then left into Hedgefield Road. We went past Belle Vale shopping centreas well as a small bus interchnage and we continued down onto The B5171. We ran through a small village called Gateacre and then up a steep hill to Gateacre Brow. At the top of the hill we turned left into Acrefiled Road and we ran into the village of Woolton. We were now deep into new territory and almost all the buses we passed were unfamiliar. We went across a crossroad onto Speke Road and we followed it down into Hunts Cross. We continued onto Woodend Avenue and we travelled South along a wide boulevard style road. We crossed the A561 and we travelled further South. We ran Eastwards along Central Avenue which was another Boulevard. The streets if not the houses would not look out of place in a Spanish holiday town. Even though this is a social housing estate there were some unusual features... As well as the ultra wide roads there were brick arch between the houses that were almost the full height of the houses and big enough for a lorry to pass between them! We travelled South down Eastern Avenue and then we turned right onto Hale Road. We ran West for around about 1/2 mile and then we entered into the Airport grounds. We passed through two sets of barriers and then the bus pulled up outside the main departure lounge of the Airport. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2691 before it went on layover.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2691

When we got off the bus we noticed a few buses dotted around the area on layover. Across the way was Arriva NW&W 4810 about to work a #80A to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 4810 in Liverpool Airport

Outside the hotel opposite to the departure lounge was North West Coachlnes PN09 CWR.

North West Coachlnes PN09 CWR in Liverpool Airport

As we headed back to check out where the busback departted we saw another bus approaching. It was Arriva NW&W 4123 going on layover after working a #81A from Bootle. We headed into the terminal and Matthew used the toilet before we returned outside to catch a bus back towards St Helens. Matthew took an interest in Arriva NW&W 4444 which was on a #500 service toi liverpool but we ciuld not catch that bus today... It was already 17:00 and we were over an hour away from St Helens! e found the stop from which the #89 departed and we found a map of bus routes out of the airport. It appeared that the #81 & #81A both went north through hunts cross just like the #89 did, albeit via a different more direct route. We had seen Arriva NW&W 4123 on layover and it was about to work a #81A to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4123 in Liverpool Airport

When it came on stand we decided to do this as far as Hunts Cross. We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4123 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4123

We set off out of the airport past the yellow submarine ans we turned right onto Speke Hall Avenue. We turned right onto Dunlop Road and then left onto Western Avenue. We travelled North across the A561 and onto Woodend Avenue. We crossed over the A562 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4123 before it carried on North to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4123 in Hunts Cross

I reckoned we had 10 minutes before the #89 so we crossed the road and visited the Co-operative Food store on the other side of the road. Mathew had a can of Coke an a small bottle of Irn Bru as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We crossed back over to wait for the next #89 and we saw Arriva NW&W 4446 on a #81 to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4446 in Hunts Cross

We had seen what we though would be the next bus earlier today and we expected it to be Arriva NW&W Volvo B10 2707. A few minutes later as expected we saw the Arriva single decker approaching.

Arriva NW&W 2707 in Hunts Cross

We got on the bus and we flashed the Saveaway day ticket to the driver for the final time today. It was almost 17:30 and we knew we had a 59 minute journey time from this stop according to the information board opposite to us. We ran North up Speke Road into Woolton and we continued forwards the B5171. We followed the road to the right onto Gateacre Brow and we ran down the hill towards Belle Vale. We called at the Belle vale bus station and we turned right onto Childwall Valley Road. We turned left onto Naylor's Road and we ran north under the M62 and forwards onto Wheat Hill Road. at the end we turned left onto the B5080 and we ran North West up to the Crofters Arms. At the roundabout we turned right onto the B5199 before turning right into Huyton Bus station. We sat outside for a brief moment near to the bingo hall before continuing onto the stand. After loading up we ran north up Lathom Road and onto Huyton Lane. We crossed under the M57 and we turned right onto Carr Lane. We ran into Prescot from the South and into the bus station. The bus set off out of town along the A57 down to the hospital where we turned left into Delph Lane. We Zigged and zagged through the street to the South of the A58 and then we joined the A58 at the same junction where saw an unidentified Watkins Coaches coach at the Parkview Hotel. We continued along the A58 and we passed through the town before circling around the bus station on Corporation Street so that we could enter the bus station from the East end. When we got onto corporation Street we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2707.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2707

Once off the bus we took a few more bus picture before we returned to the car. We saw Arriva NW&W 714 on a #33 service to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 714 St Helens bus station

We walked back to the car and we saw HTL Buses Solo YJ12 PNK on a #141 to Earlstown. We met mum at the car and we drove along Corporation Street onto the A58. At the next junction we turned right onto the A572 and we ran out of town. Mum wasn't able to get any sausage rolls from Greggs so we stopped at a chip shop on the corner of Southport Street. Once we had chip we continued out of town alonng the A572 and to the North of Earlstown. We turned right onto the A49 and we ran through newton-le-Willows and down to Winwick. We ran fast along the Eastbound section of th A49 across to the M6 at junction 22. Once on the M6 we ran South towards junction 16. As we ran South we saw an undentified JB Travel coach and we were passed by Ellenbrook Travel R309 JAF.

Ellenbrook Travel R309 JAF on the M6

As we continued down the M6 we passed by an unidentified Holmeswood VIP coach and an unidentified tri-axle white & two tine blue Lakeside coach. As we were about to leave the M6 we were passed by Kings Norton Coaches VX04 KSU.

Kings Norton Coaches VX04 KSU on the M6

We ran down the A500 to Sideway and then we went Eastwards on the A50 to Longton. We came off the A50 onto baths Road and we stopped at the Tesco petrol station to top up with petrol. We crossed over the A50 to check out what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the front row we saw Z Carz Iveco minibus YJ53 WPD.

Z Carz YJ53 WPD in Longton

Also on the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Renault minibus PE10 MJK.

Z Carz PE10 MJK in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Renault minibus BU04 GYW.

Z Carz BU04 GYW in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LFY.

Z Carz HK57 LFY in Longton

We turned left into Willow Row to see what was in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Mercedes minibus LV52 TZY.

Z Carz LV52 TZY in Longton

Further along the road we saw Z Carz Vauxhall minibus X599 WDY.

Z Carz X599 WDY in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we ran West to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Rod and we ran through Blurton. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 20:00. For a late tea we had bangers & mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark.