Trip to Wigan / Bolton 02-03-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
36796	Wigan BS	Beech Hill, Baytree Rd	6	Stagecoach Manchester
36801	Beech Hill, Beech Hill Ave	Wigan BS	5	Stagecoach Manchester
2677	Wigan BS	Bolton BS	575	Arriva NW&W
69147	Bolton BS	Radcliffe BS	524	First Manchester
69201	Radcliffe BS	Bolton BS	524	First Manchester
YJ62 FSE	Bolton BS	Greater Lever, Nugent Rd	572	Vision Travel
YJ62 FSE	Greater Lever, Nugent Rd	Bolton BS	572	Vision Travel
2680	Bolton BS	Wigan BS	575	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Wigan. Two weeks ago we went to Leigh and we passed through Wigan on the way back to Leigh. Matthew wasn't in the best of moods today so we didn't want to go anywhere too adventurous. Whilst in Leigh we had seen a sign for free weekend car parking on council car parks so we did some research to see if that was the case in Wigan too and It was. We gave Matthew a list of place from the Midlands and North West and from the list Matthew chose Wigan. Other that the car parking research we checked the weather for today and it was for grey weather with rain moving in later on. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 12:00 onto the A5035 and we turned right on to the Stanley Matthew Way. Stoke were playing at home against Nottingham Forrest and some vehicles had already arrived. We joined the Westbound A50 and at Sideway we joined the Northbound A500. As we travelled Northwards up the A500 we saw an unidentified Linburg coach, Paul's of Stoke Y15 POS / Y13 POS, Orion Coaches OR10 NTC and Biz Bus B12 XXL. We ran up to the M6 and we got onto the Northbound M6 at junction 16. As we travelled through Cheshire up the M6 we saw grey minibus KV16 OAX, an unidentified white Mercedes minibus, sliver minibus EO68 BWW, beige minibus BG10 WDD, Prospect Coaches PR15 JAK, Bennett's VX63 YHB, York Pullman YN65 BND, Party Time Bus L971 MSC and Lucky Seven SJ16 EOV. We travelled up to junction 25 and and we diverted onto the Northbound A49. We travelled through Marus Bridge and over the large roundabout near to the DW stadium and into Wigan town centre. We passed Wigan Pier and we went under the railway line along Wallgate. We turned left onto King Street West and left onto Dorning Street. We went past uncle Joe Mintballs and we turned right onto Richmond Street we entered the council car park and as we arrived in the car park we saw a car leave so we managed to get a space. Once we had parked up we walked onto Hallgate and we headed towards the bus station. On layover on Hallgate Street was Stagecoach Manchester 27236.

Stagecoach Manchester 27236 in Wigan

At the top of Hallgate Street we saw Arriva NW&W 4603 eneter the bus station on a #352 to St Helens.

Arriva NW&W 4603 in Wigan bus station

Also seen entering the bus station was Rotala Diamond 20160 on a #132 to the Intu Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 20160 in Wigan bus station

We walked along the Southern side of the bus station and we went to The Courtyard Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and then we chose dinner. On this visit it wasn't the best experience we had here. There's a sign outside declaring they do breakfasts until 14:00 but apparently that changed a while ago and they forgot to change the sign. Matthew had already decided he was stopping so he had to have a burger and chips. Only the handmade burger contain onions and so Matthew wouldn't eat it. He ended up having a chip bap washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked into the bus station. Matthew was still in a funny mood and he wandered up and down the bus station looking for a bus to catch. He settled on doing required Stagecoach Manchester 36796 which was on a #6 Beech Hill circular.

Stagecoach Manchester 36796 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased System One bus only day tickets at £5.80 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Northern end of the bus station and we turned right onto New Market Street and we turned left onto the B5376. We travelled Northwards for a while and turned left onto Walkden Avenue. We crossed over the railway line and we went forwards onto Buckley Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto Gidlow Lane and we ran Northwards and crossed over Beech Hill Avenue. We turned left onto Ross Avenue and right onto Acacia Crescent. We ran forwards onto Shaftsbury Street and we turned left onto Beech Hill Avenue. We saw a few shops so we decided to get off. We turned right onto Springfield Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Stagecoach Manchester 36796 as it headed back towards Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 36796 in Beech Hill

Once we had let the bus go we walked back up Springfield Road and we crossed over Beech Hill Avenue to visit the shop. Matthew had a can of Cherry Coke and a small bottle of dandelion & burdock, as well as a couple of chocolate bars. When we had finished purchasing the items in the shop we walked around the corner into shaftsbury Street to wait for a bus back to Wigan. I looked at the bus times on my phone and it said there had been on due about a minute ago. We hadn't heard one whilst in the shop so we hoped that it was just a tad late. A few seconds later the bus rounded the corner and it was dud Stagecoach Manchester 36801 on a #5 to Wigan.

Stagecoach Manchester 36801 in Beech Hill

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along Shaftsbury Street and forwards onto Acacia Crescent. At the end of the road we turned left onto Ross Avenue. We turned right onto Gillow Lane and we saw an unidentified Garnett's coach got past on Beech Hill Avenue. We crossed over Beech Hill Avenue and we continued Southwards into town. We turned left onto Buckley Street and we crossed under the railway line and onto Walkden Avenue. At the end we turned right onto the B5376. We ran Southwards for 1/2 mile to the edge of town and we turned right onto New Market Street. We turned left and entered the bus station from the Northern end and got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a quick look around at what we might catch next. Matthew used the toilet and then we walked down the stands looking for what we might catch. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 19359 on a #10 to Leigh.

Stagecoach Manchester 19359 in Wigan bus station

We walked back into the bus station and we saw Arriva NW&W 2677 on a #575 to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2677 in Wigan bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station out of the North West exit and onto New Market Street We ran around the town clockwise and we went via Greenhough Street onto Scholes. As we ran out of town Scholes became Whelley. They don't have have some strange street names in these here parts... We continued North Eastwards through New Springs and we went forwards onto Wigan Road. On the Eastern Edge of Aspull we turned left onto Holly Road and left again onto St David's Crescent. At the end we turned right onto the B5239 and we ran ran Southwards into the centre of Aspull. We turned left onto Scot lane and we ran Eastwards out of town. We came to a T-junction and we turned left onto the B5408. We ran through Blackrod, and then when we got to the other side of the village we went South down the A6. At the next big crossroads we turned left onto Station Road and we passed Blackrod railway station and then went under the M61. We climbed the hill into Horwich and when the bus turned right into Chorley New Road. We ran for about 5 miles along the A673 to the edge of Bolton. We crossed the ring road onto the B6205 and we turned right onto the B6204. We followed the road around onto the A676 and we turned right onto Black Horse Street past the old bus station. We followed the road to the left onto Great Moor Street and we turned right into Newport Street where we entered the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew used the toilet. We had a look around to see what we could catch next. We stood at the end for a while and took a few bus pictures. We saw Arriva NW&W 2995 on a #534 Oldhams estate circular.

Arriva NW&W 2995 in Bolton bus station

We went back inside and we walked down the stands. We saw required First Manchester 69147 on a #524 to Bury.

First Manchester 69147 in Bolton bus station

We got on the bus and we we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. we set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Great Moor Street. We turned right onto Manchester Road and we headed Southwards. We ran through Burnden past the site of the old Bolton Wanders football ground. Just over 1/2 mile South of the town we joined the Southbound A666 and came off at the next junction. We went under the A666 and we turned left onto the A6053. We ran past Moses Gate Country Park and we entered Little Lever from the West end. In town we turned right and followed the A6053 Southwards. We ran for around a mile to the West end of Radcliffe and we joined the Eastbound A665. The road turned South and we turned left onto Blackburn Street. We turned right onto Dale Street and we entered Radcliffe bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 69147 before it continued towards Bury.

First Manchester 69147 in Radcliffe bus station

Once we had let the bus go we walked over to Radcliffe Market and Matthew used the toilet. Staff in the market appeared to be setting up for a concert or play in the market hall. Once Matthew had finished in the market we walked back over to the bus station. We saw First Manchester 69327 on a #98 to Manchester. A short time later we saw required First Manchester 69201 on a #524 to Bolton.

First Manchester 69201 in Radcliffe bus station

We got on the bus and we we flashed the System One bus only 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 Dale Street. We turned right onto the A665 and we headed Northwards. We followed the road out of town and the road turned Westwards. At the edge of town we joined the Westbound A6053. We ran into Little Lever and followed the road to the left. We ran out of town and past the Moses Gate Country Park before turning right onto the A666. We came off the A666 at the next junction and onto Manchester Road. We ran Northwards through Burnden and into the centre of Bolton. We turned left into Great Moor Street and left into Newport Street before entering the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. We considered what to do next. We spotted required Vision Travel YJ62 FSE on a #572 Great Lever circular.

Vision Travel YJ62 FSE in Bolton bus station

We got on the bus and we we flashed the System One bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station and left onto Newport Street. We crossed over the A579 onto Thynne Street and we turned right onto Bridgeman Street. We ran for around 1/4 mile and we turned left Fletcher Street. We turned right onto Lever Street and we saw Bestway PO55 URE. We ran forwards onto High Street and we turned left onto Bridgeman Street. We turned left onto Higher Swan Lane and we ran down to Lever Edge Lane. We turned left onto Lever Edge Lane and at the roundabout we turned left onto Rishton Lane. At the roundabout we ran forwards onto Grecian Crescent and at the end we ran forwards onto Fletcher Street. We turned right onto Bridgeman Street and left onto Thynne Street. We turned left onto the A579 and right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Great Moor Street and right onto Newport Street and we entered the bus station. We got up to get off the bus. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Vision Travel YJ62 FSE.

Inside Vision Travel YJ62 FSE

We got up and got off the bus and Matthew visited the toilet. Whilst in the toilet we missed stagecoach Manchester 27819 on a #7 to Wigan. We walked down the bottom end of the bus station to wait for the next #575 to Wigan. We saw First Manchester 69159 on a #524 to Bury.

First Manchester 69159 in Bolton bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching the stand. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2680 on a #575 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2680 in Bolton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day tickets to the driver for the final time today. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 2680 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2680

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw National Express liveried coach Park's of Hamilton BF68 LBO on the #540 to Colne. The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the A575. We turned left onto Deansgate and right onto Bridge Street. We turned left onto the B6205 and we crossed the ring road onto the B6226. We veered left onto the A673 and we ran Westwards out of town. AS we travelled Northwards we saw Orbit taxi minibus LR58 WBZ & Hasan WN62 CTY. We ran through Heaton and Lostock and into Horwich. As we travelled through town we saw Tyrers TYR 21R join the road. We turned left onto the B5238. We went under the M61 and past Blackrod railway station. At the end of the Road we turned right onto the A6 and we headed Northwards. We turned left onto the B5408 and Southwards through Blackrod. At the Southern end of Blackrod we turned Scot Lane and we ran into Aspull. We went around the triangle in the centre and we stopped briefly at the bus stop. We headed North up the B5239 and we turned left onto Saint David's Crescent. We turned right onto Holly Road and right onto the B5238. We ran Southwards through New Springs and Whelley and we turned right onto the A573. We crossed the A49 onto Crompton Street and we ran forwards onto Mesnes Street. We turned left onto the B5375 ans we entered the bus station for the North End. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 2680 before it returned to Bolton.

Arriva NW&W 2680 in Wigan bus station

Once out of the bus station we walked down to the layover area. We saw Rotala Diamond 20843 parked up there.

Rotala Diamond 20843 in Wigan bus station

We continued through the layover area and we cam out onto Frog Lane and we walked over to the car. Mum was waiting with Greggs sausage rolls and a can of Irn Bru for Matthew. We got into the car and we set off towards home. We set off onto Frog Lane and we turned left onto Prescot Street. We turned left onto Miry Lane and right into Herbert Street. We joined the Northbound A49 by Wigan Pier and we followed the one way system onto the Southbound A49. We ran around the other side of the Pier and we ran Southwards out of town through Marus Bridge and onto the M6. As we ran Southwards through Cheshire we saw Prestige Private Hire T1 PPH & Exeter Chiefs C11 EFS. We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we ran Southwards down the A500. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we turned left onto City Road. We ran under the railway bridge and up the bridge into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. We stopped at the residential unit and Matthew went in to see one of his friends. Matthew returned to the car and we set off onto Temple Street. We turned right onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Station Bridge Road. We ran forwards onto Heron Street and forwards onto Blurton Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A50 and we ran up to Longton to check out what was parked at Z Carz this evening. The spare ground was empty as expected and we turned left onto Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Renault minibus YE52 UZX parked up.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home just after 19:00. For a late tea bangers and mash with carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuit. We did an e-mail and we wrote some of the Blog. Matthew went to bed around 00:00.... Mark.