Trip to Widnes / Runcorn 15-09-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2539	Widnes, Green Oaks	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
3136	Runcorn BS	Norton, Runcorn East	X1	Arriva NW&W
2542	Norton, Eanley Wood, Runcorn East, Busway	Halton Lea South	1	Arriva NW&W
2544	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	110	Arriva NW&W
W828 PFB	Runcorn BS	Halton Lea South	52	Ashcroft's Travel
5004	Halton Lea South	Runcorn BS	500	Arriva NW&W
3138	Runcorn BS	Speke, Western Avenue	X1	Arriva NW&W
4829	Speke, Tarbock Road	Speke, Morrisons	82	Arriva NW&W
4814	Speke, Morrisons	Woolton, Allerton Road	81	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Widnes. We had checked the weather for today and it was for mainly dry weather with some sunshine and the small chance of a shower. We gave Matthew a list of destination in the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Widnes. Research for the trip consisted of looking at Arriva Mersey Plus Day Saver ticket. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:45 onto the A5035. We turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way and near to the BET365 stadium we passed D&G 173 on a #14 to Stafford. We joined the Westbound A50 and at Sideway roundabout we turned right to join the Northbound A500. Travelling up the A500 we saw an unidentified Swans Travel coach and Belle Vue A15 VUE. We joined the M6 at junction 16 and as we joined the motorway we saw Rolfe Street Garage YP10 XGN. Going up the M6 we saw an unidentified Alba Travel coach, an unidentified Mostonian coach, Kier YS15 CRJ, Park's of Hanmilton LSK 832, an unidentified Swans Travel coach, an unidentified national Holidays coach, Llew Jones (NX) LJ67 LLJ(#375), an unidentified Barnes coach, Stanton's of Stoke 5658 RU, an unidentified Esk Valley coach, an unidentified 18 Mayne coach (in a firework style livery). We left the M6 at junction 21A and we went Westwards along the M62 to junction 7. We went Southwards down the A557 and we turned right to run up to 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. On the way we saw required Arriva NW&W 2549 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2549 in Widnes

We crossed over the road and we headed into the market. Matthew went to the toilet and then we went into the Market Cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we set off outside to the bus station. We saw Halton Transport 82 on a #62 to Halebank.

Halton Transport 82 in Widnes

We crossed over the road to wait for a bus towards Runcorn. Whilst we waited we saw Halton Transport 24 on a #14C to Hough Green.

Halton Transport 24 in Widnes

A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2539 on a #110 to Murdishaw.

Arriva NW&W 2539 in Widnes

We got on the bus and we brought Arriva NW&W Merseyside Plus Day Saver tickets at £4.40 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. As we sat down we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 15585 on a X5 to Liverpool. We set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Gerrards Street. We ran forwards onto Milton Road and we turned left onto the B5419. We went through the old town and across the roundabout onto Victoria Road where we saw an unidentified Ambassador coach parked down a side street. We got onto the new A533 and we crossed over the new Mersey Gateway Bridge. We then headed back Westwards and then joined Leiria way to run into Runcorn town centre. We ran onto the High Street we ran past the bus station before turning right into the bus station so we were pointing the right way to go towards Halton Lea. We got up and got off the bus and we saw Anthony's Travel D19 ANT on a contract service to Capita.

Anthony's Travel D19 ANT in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 3136 on a X1 to Windmill Hill.

Arriva NW&W 3136 in Runcorn bus station

We decided to do this bus so we got on and flashed the Arriva NW&W Merseyside Plus Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Westwards and we crossed under the A557 and Southwards down Greenway Road. We turned left onto Moughland lane and we continued forwards onto Clifton Road. We turned left onto one of the busways and we ran under the A533 before stopping outside the library. WE continued up to Halton Lea Hospital and we ran fast up to Murdishaw. We had planned on getting up by the Co-operative food store but we didn't ring the bell expecting the bus would stop and we went sailing by. We continued a few stops further round and we decided to get off by Runcorn East railway station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3136 as it continued towards Windmill Hill.

Arriva NW&W 3136 in Norton

Once off the bus we crossed over the road to the bus top opposite. We weren't sure how long we were going to have to wait for a bus but only a couple of minutes later we saw an Arriva NW&W Cadet approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was dud Arriva NW&W 2542 on a #1 Halton Lea circular service.

Arriva NW&W 2542 in Norton

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Merseyside Plus Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus turned around the turning circle and we ran West up the busway to Halton Lea hospital. We pulled up in Halton Lea South. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2542 as it continued around the Halton Lea circular route.

Arriva NW&W 2542 in Halton Lea

Once of the bus we headed down to the Shopping City shopping centre. We walked through the shopping centre and Matthew used the disabled toilet which appear to have been upgraded since our last visit. Once we had finished we headed back through the shopping centre and up to the bus station. When we got there we saw Stagecoach Merseyside 19056 on a X2 to Chester.

Stagecoach Merseyside 19056 in Halton Lea

A few minutes later we saw another Arriva Cadet Approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 2544 on a #110 to Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2544 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Merseyside Plus Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We travelled back through Castlefields via the busway. We headed back into Runcorn via the busway through Astmoor. When we got back into Runcorn Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2544 before it carried on towards Warrington.

Arriva NW&W 2544 in Runcorn bus station

Across the way we spotted required Ashcroft's Travel W828 PFB on the #52 Beechwood circular service.

Ashcroft's Travel W828 PFB in Runcorn bus station

We decided to pay extra and do this bus as it was a required one. We got on the bus and we booked single fares to Halton Lea South at £1.10 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. There was a short wait for departure time, and at 15:20 we set off out of the bus station. We went Eastwards onto the B5155. We crossed the canal and we turned left onto Halton Road. We travelled around 1/2 mile and we turned left onto Halton Brow, running under the A533. At the end of Halton Brow we turned right onto Main Street through and old part of the town with older building that you typically find in a rural village in Cheshire. The road curved around to the East ans we turned right onto Holt Lane. We ran through part of the Halton Lea shopping centre that were very run down and the we circle around onto the Southway and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Ashcroft's Travel W828 PFB before it carried on around the Beechwood circle.

Ashcroft's Travel W828 PFB in Halton Lea

We decided to keep moving and we saw a gas powered bus approaching. As it got closer we saw that it was required Arriva NW&W 5004 on a #500 to Widnes.

Arriva NW&W 5004 in Halton Lea

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Merseyside Plus Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and along the busway. THe #500 takes the same route as the bold #79C service used to take. We carried on West onto Grangeway. At the end we ran forwards onto Linkway and right onto Laburnum Grove. We turned right onto Windsor Grove and we followed the road around. We ran North up Norleane Crescent and we turned left onto Heath Road. We then did a loop around Langdale Road and Ivy Street before we rejoined Heath Road, this time going Northwards. We continued up the B5155 and we followed the road to the left over the canal. We then travelled via Lena Way into the town centre and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 5004 as it carried on towards Widnes.

Arriva NW&W 5004 in Runcorn bus station

Once off the bus Matthew decided he wanted a drink and to go to the toilet. We left the bus station and crossed the road and went to The Ferry Boat. Matthew went to the toilets and afterwards we waited at the bar to get a drink. Matthew had a small Coke with ice and after we had finished drink we went outside to meet up with uncle Dave. We decided to take a few pictures before we carried on. We saw Halton Transport 10 on a #61A to Huyton.

Halton Transport 10 in Runcorn bus station

A few minutes later we saw Arriva NW&W 3138 on a X1 to Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3138 in Runcorn bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Merseyside Plus Day Saver ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and we headed to the A533. We ran fast over the river Mersey on the new bridge and we joined the Westbound A562. We ran at speed for around 2 miles and the we veered left to join the A561. We ran the last mile or so into Speke and we could see a small bus terminal outside of Morrison as we went past. After crossing over Western Avenue we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture picture of Arriva NW&W 3138 as it carried on towards Liverpool.

Arriva NW&W 3138 in Speke

We walked around the corner onto Western Avenue to wait for a bus toward Speke. A few minutes later we saw a hybrid double decker approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 4829 on a #82 to Speke.

Arriva NW&W 4829 in Speke

We got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva NW&W Merseyside Plus Day Saver ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off down Western Avenue and past Paul McCartney's first home. We turned left onto Central Avenue and we ran Eastwards through the estate. We ran clockwise around the South Parade and we continued Eastwards onto Central Way. We turned left onto Eastern Avenue and we ran Northwards for around 1/4 of a mile. We turned left onto Millwards Road and we ran Westwards to Morrisons and the end of the run. We got up and we went into Morrisons. Matthew went to the toilet and we came out of the supermarket. We decided to wait for the next #81 towards Woolton. The bus pulled up and we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 4814 on a #81 to Bootle.

Arriva NW&W 4814 in Speke

Whilst we waited for the bus to be readied for service we saw HTL Bus YJ11 EKN on a #3A circular service. When the bus was ready we got on the bus and we flashed the Arriva Merseyside Plus Day Saver ticket to the driver for the final time today. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4814.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4814

We went upstairs and Matthew took a picture inside the upper saloon of Arriva NW&W 4814 before we sat down.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4814

We set off out of the bus terminal onto Millwood Road and we headed Eastwards. We turned right onto Eastern Avenue and we ran Southwards before turning right onto Central Way. We ran anti-clockwise around South Parade and we joined Central Avenue. We turned right onto Western Avenue and we ran Northwards up to the main road. We turned left onto the A561 and we ran Westwards towards Liverpool. We turned right onto Speak Hall Road. We ran Northwards towards Woolton and as we crossed over the railway line we saw 2 class 08 shunters and 4 old coaches parked adjacent to them. We turned right onto the A562. We ran Eastwards to Hunts Cross and we turned left onto Speke Road. We ran Northwards for around 3/4 of a mile and we crossed over the B5171. We ran into Woolton and we got up and got off the bus. Behind us was Arriva NW&W 4438 on a #89 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4438 in Woolton

Once off the bus we crossed over the street and we went down the passageway to Sainsbury's. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we met up with mum. Matthew brought a bottle of Coke and a pack of Crunchies. Once we had paid for the stuff we got in the car where mum had brought Greggs sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru. We set off onto Kings Drive and we ran to Halewood Road. We turned left onto Lydiate Lane and forwards onto Church Road. We turned left onto Greensbridge lane and left onto the B5178. We ran into Netherley and we turned left onto the B5171. We turned right onto Besford Road and we stopped at Morrisons for petrol. Once we had filled up we headed back onto the B5171. We turned right onto the B5178 and we turned left onto Whitefield Lane. We turned right onto the A5080 and we joined the Eastbound M62. We continued to the M6 and then we headed Southwards. As we travelled Eastwards we saw grey minibus KN54 NLL. Seen on the M6 were an unidentified Esk Valley coach, an unidentified Alba Travel coach, An unidentified tri-axle Alpine Travel coach. As we ran through Cheshire we were passed by Airshuttle BX62 BFP.

Airshuttle BX62 BFP on the M6

Continuing down the M6 we saw an unidentified MJ Travel minibus & white minibus SH12 FDN. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we headed Spouthwards down the A500. Seen on the A500 was grey minibus YP18 SVX. At Sideway we went went Eastwards along the A50 to Longton. We came off the A50 at Longton and we ran along the high level road. We stopped at the Z Carz depot to see what was parked up this evening. The spare ground was empty so we turned left nto Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz's new grey minibus WX55 OHU.

Z Carz WX55 OHU in Longton

Also see was Z Carz white Mercedes minibus CE02 LYX.

Z Carz CE02 LYX in Longton

We went West along the A50 to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We continued up to Church Road and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive and we got back home at 19:30. When we got back for a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.