Trip to Trafford Centre / Bolton 25-05-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
20160	Leigh BS	Trafford Centre BS	126	Rotala Diamond
37367	Trafford Centre BS	Salford, Rossall Way (stop F)	100	First Manchester
33831	Salford, Rossall Way (stop G)	Bolton BS	36	First Manchester
69147	Bolton BS	Johnson Fold, Montserrat Road‎	501	First Manchester
15232	Johnson Fold, Montserrat Road	Bolton BS	125	Stagecoach Lancashire
2679	Bolton BS	Horwich, The Crown (Stop C)	575	Arriva NW&W
2688	Horwich, The Crown (Stop C)	Wigan BS	575	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Trafford centre. We checked the weather for today and it was for mainly cloudy weather with a slight possibility of rain. We gave Matthew a list of places and from the list he choose to start at Leigh. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. He also had a glass of Irn Bru. around 11:45 we set off onto the A5035. We continued past Stanley Matthews Way by Accident, so we decided to go up the A34 instead! By the Trentham Gardens roundabout we joined the Northbound A34. As we travelled up the A34 we saw silver minibus BU65 EOE and Aerobright EG16 VME. At Hanford we joined the Northbound A500. Travelling up the A500 we saw Lucky Seven BX60 AXA, Afford rent-a-car MK67 UEL, red minibus MT68 AZC, Global Travel BIG 8768. We got to junction 16 and on the roundabout we saw Crusader EU07 FHX. We joined the M6 and we headed Northwards. Seen on the M6 were white minibus BD14 UAX, an unidentified Bestway Travel coach & S-Line Travel BN11 UGK. We left the M6 at junction 22 onto Winwick lane and we travelled North to Lowton. We turned right onto Newton Road and we crossed over the A580. Newton Road became St Helens Road and we continued North over the A579 and into Leigh town centre. We turned right onto Spinning Jenny Way and we ran around onto gas Street and onto the main car park. We parked up and Matthew sued the toilet in the block outside the shopping centre. We walked through the shopping centre and when we got to the bus station and we saw First Manchester 69136 on a #582 to Bolton.

First Manchester 69136 in Leigh bus station

Matthew went to the toilet. We walked back to the food van for dinner. Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we headed to the bus station. We spotted required Rotala Diamond 20160 on a #126 to the Trafford Centre.

Rotala Diamond 20160 in Leigh bus station

We got on the bus and we purchased System One bus only tickets from the driver at £5.80 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Spinning Jenny Way and we headed Eastwards towards Manchester just after passing Tesco we saw Network Warrington 212 on a #19 to Leigh. We continued onto Chapel Street and we turned sharp left onto Manchester Road. We crossed the 2 mini roundabout and we continued Eastwards along Manchester Road. We passed Leigh Cemetary and we continued for around 2 miles and through the centre of Astley. We continued forwards onto Chaddock Lane and we went under the A580. We ran forwards onto Leigh Road for about a mile and we crossed the roundabout onto Worsley Brow. We went under the M60 and at the next roundabout we joined the anti-clockwise M60. We ran fast along the motorway to junction 10 and we cam off onto the Northbound B5214. We turned right at the Bridgewater Circle and we entered the Trafford Centre bus station. Once off the bus we headed through the bus station towards the toilets. On the way we saw Arriva NW&W 2627 about to work the #247 to Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 2627 in Trafford Centre bus station

Adjacent to the bus station we saw MCT minibus MX17 CGV parked up.

MCT MX17 CGV in Trafford Centre

We headed into the car park and Matthew used the toilet. Once he had finished we headed back into the bus station. Matthew spotted required First Manchester 37367 on a #100 to Manchester and he decided he wanted to do this bus.

First Manchester 37367 in Trafford Centre bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 37367 before we sat down.

Inside First Manchester 37367

A few minutes later the bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right on to the B5214. At the next roundabout we turned left onto the B5211 and we ran North over the river Manchester Ship Canal. We ran Northwards through Barton upon Irwell and we ran alongside the Bridgewater Canal. We turned right onto the A57 and we crossed over the canal. We ran the 1/2 mile into Eccles. We continued forwards onto Church Street and we entered the Interchange. After a brief stop we we carried on along Regent Street and we joined the Northbound A576. We crossed over the M602 and we ran through Little Bolton and Seedley. We joined the Eastbound A6 and at the next junction by St Thomas' Church Pendleton we turned right onto Belvedere Road. We turned right onto Rossall Way and we stopped outside Salford Shopping Centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 37367 before it continued towards Manchester.

First Manchester 37367 in Salford

We had a quick walk around the stops outside the shopping centre before we caught the next bus. We saw Rotala Diamond 21221 on a #79 to Swinton.

Rotala Diamond 21221 in Salford

Also seen was Rotala Diamond 30141 on layover. We walked around the corner to the Bolton stop and we waited for the next Northbound service. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required First Manchester 33831 on a #36 to Bolotn.

First Manchester 33831 in Salford

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One bus only ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Manchester 33831 before we sat down.

Inside First Manchester 33831

We set off from the stop and we headed up to the Westbound A6. We ran alongside the main carriageway in a bus lane for a few hundred yards and we veered left onto Bolton Road. We ran alongside the A6 for a 3/4 of a mile and we cam to a large roundabout. The A580 and the A6 split off from each other and we followed the A6 for around a mile into Swinton. We stopped briefly outside a brutalist Lancastrian Hall in the centre of town and the former RBS bank now open as a shop. We continued Westwards into Walkden. We continued Westwards out of Wakden along the A6 and we turned left into Hilton Lane passing Rotala Diamond 20725 on the VH2 Walkden circular service. We turned right onto Hulton Avenue and we continued forwards onto Madams Wood Road. We crossed the A5082 and we ran forwards onto Kenyon Way. We ran through the estate and we reappeared on the A6. We headed Eastwards for a short distance and we turned left onto the A5082. We crossed over the M61 and we turned left onto Tennyson Road. We ran forwards onto George Street across Highfield Road and forwards onto Laburnam Road. We crossed the B6199 and we ran North up Harper Green Road. We turned left onto Lavender Road and right onto Bradford Road. We crossed Green Lane and we continued north towards Bolton. We ran forwards onto Nelson Street and forwards onto Thynne Street. We turned left onto the A579 and right onto Black Horse Street. We turned right onto Great Moor Street and right into Newport Street and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we went outside to take a few bus pictures. We saw First Manchester 33742 on a #8 to Manchester.

First Manchester 33742 in Bolton bus station

We went back inside and we spotted First Manchester 69147 which was about to work a #501 to Johnson Fold.

First Manchester 69147 in Bolton 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 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 should have turned right onto Vernon Street, but due to a police incident the bus was diverted further up the B6226 and we turned right onto Gaskell Street. We continued forwards onto Brownlow Way and we re-joined the route at the mini roundabout. At the next mini roundabout we turned left onto Tennyson Street. We turned right into Eskrick Street and left into Elgin Street. We continued onto Church Road and forwards again onto New Church Road. We turned right onto the B6226 and we ran Northwards towards Horwich. A couple of stops u the road before the bus turned into the estate we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of First Manchester 69147 as it continued towards Johnson Fold.

First Manchester 69147 in Johnson Fold

As we got off the bus we spotted a bus coming the other way. We quickly crossed the road and we flagged the bus down. As it got closer we saw it was dud Stagecoach Lancashire 15232 on a #125 to Bolton.

Stagecoach Lancashire 15232 in Johnson Fold

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Southwards down the B6226 for around 2 miles, past Morrisons and we ran into town. We crossed the ring road and we ran forwards onto the B6205 where we saw Atlas Taxi YN61 CKU. We turned right onto the B6204 and we turned right onto Deansgate by the Fred Dibnah statue. We turned right onto Black Horse Street and we followed the road to the left onto Great Moor Street. We turned right into Newport Street and we entered the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet again and afterwards we went to the shop. Matthew brought some cake and pop as well as a couple of chocolate bars. We took a few bus picture before we caught the next bus. We saw Vision Travel Dart LX06 EZV on layover in between services.

Vision Travel LX06 EZV in Bolton bus station

We walked over to the other side of the bus station to catch something towards Wigan, where mum had driven to. As we got there we saw required Arriva NW&W 2679 on a #575 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2679 in Bolton bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the System One Bus Only Day tickets to the driver we sat down towards the back of the bus. We 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. We ran through Heaton and Lostock and we continued Northwards for the last couple of miles. When we got to the North end of town in familiar territory, we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took a picture of Arriva NW&W 2679 as it continued towards Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2679 in Horwich

Once off the bus we crossed the road and Matthew visited The Crown pub. He went to say hello to a few of the locals and then went to the toilet. Afterwards we went to the bar and Matthew had a small Coke. Once we had the drink Matthew sat himself down at a table and introduced himself to a few more of the locals. After he finished his drink Matthew said goodbye to his new friends and we met up with uncle Dave again. We crossed over the road and we waited for the next bus to Wigan. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was required Arriva NW&W 2688 on a #575 to Wigan.

Arriva NW&W 2688 in Horwich

We flashed the System One Bus Only Day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off up the road and 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 visited the toilet. We walked with mum towards to car. the walkway at the bottom of the bus station is now labelled us as driver access only, so we walked onto Hallgate and we saw Stagecoach Manchester 27208 on layover.

Stagecoach Manchester 27208 in Wigan

We came out onto Frog Lane and we walked over to the car. Mum had already brought Greggs sausage rolls and a bottle 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 an unidentified Robinsons coach, an unidentified The Traveller Choice coach, Hartley's Travel YN54 WFD, Llew Jones LJI 7211, an unidentified Paul's of Stoke coach, Sky Coaches AT07 GYZ, Alfa 94, Charlton Minicoaches DK08 LSN, an unidentified Tyrers coach and silver minibus WR19 KHD. At junction 16 we joined the Southbound A500. Seen on the A500 were Silverdale MV12 ODT and E-zec patient transport YJ16 GHD. A500 to Sideway. We turned right at the roundabout and we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we saw Lucky Seven NU61 VJX. We ran up to Z Carz to see what we could see. There was nothing on the spare ground as expected so we turned left onto Willow Row. In the corner of the yards was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

Also in the compound was Z Carz silver minibus SJ61 OPK.

Z Carz SJ61 OPK in Longton

Another vehicle seen was Z Carz minibus YE52 UZX.

Z Carz YE52 UZX in Longton

We joined turned the car around and we turned left onto Edensor Road. We turned right onto Greendock Street and we turned left onto Heathcote Street. We continued onto Longton Hall Road and at the bottom we turned right onto Blurton Road. We stopped at St Mary's chip shop and we brought chips for tea and a small bottle of dandelion & burdock for Matthew. Once we had picked up the food we set off onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton before turning right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 19:30. When we got home Matthew had 2 small sausages with chips and gravy followed by a jam filled shortcake biscuit. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some more of the Blog and out our bus pictures online. Matthew went to bed around 01:00... Mark.