Trip to Warrington / Manchester 19-03-2022

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
3256	Warrington Interchange	Trafford Centre BS	100	Go North West
3108	Trafford Centre BS	Eccles Interchange	100	Go North West
3240	Eccles Interchange	Manchester Shudehill	67	Go North West
6164	Manchester Shudehill	Brougton, Cheetham Street West	97	Go North West
6157	Broughton, Great Clowes Street	Eccles Interchange	52	Go North West
3257	Eccles Interchange	Irlam, The Ship	100	Go North West

Today we decided to re-visit Warrington. Research consisted of checking the weather, which for unseasonably warm and sunny weather and checking the price of Warrington Day tickets. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast for breakfast. After mum had returned home from work we got ready to go out, and we set off around 11:30. We set off through Blurton and onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. As we ran up towards the motorway we saw silver minibus DK20 RJJ, Cabability LK66 AET, Z Carz DC12 KNG and Bullocks PB14 BUL. We joined the M6 and we headed Northwards. On the M6 we saw Anthony's Travel RB16 ANT, an unidentified Travel Express coach, an unidentified Ellison's coach and black minibus EJ61 FLM. We came off the M6 at junction 20 and we joined the A50. We ran Northwards through Grappenhall and Latchford and we ran into Warrington. After crossing over the Mersey we tried to get to a cafe on Parr Street through an industrial estate but the road had been cut off with bollards! We went back out onto the roundabout and we joined the Eastbound A49. We went to the next roundabout and we did a u-turn. We turned left onto Hall Street and we ran forwards onto Parr Street. We parked up and we headed into the cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and we sat down and ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had eaten we got back into the car and we set off towards the Golden Square shopping centre. We kept making wrong turns so we spent several miniutes going around in circles between the roundabout over the Mersey and the Times Square multi storey car park. eventually we headed Eastwards along the A49 and we turned left onto the A57. We ran past the Interchange and we entered the shopping centre car park up the spiral ramp. Once we had parked up we got in a lift and went down to the shopping centre. We said goodbye to mum and we walked through the shopping centre and into the interchange. We decided to have a walk around to see what we could catch. we went around the outside of the bus station to the layover spaces to see what was parked up. We saw Network Warrington 224 which we think mght have just lost it's offside wing mirror.

Network Warrington 224 in Warrington Interchange

Also seen was Go North West 3256 on layover in between runs on the #100 to Manchester.

Go North West 3256 in Warrington Interchange

We continued around the bus station and we saw Network Warrington 59 on a #17 to Callands.

Network Warrington 59 in Warrington Interchange

We entered the interchange and Matthew walked towards the stand where the 100 was due to depart. I hadn't planned on doing Go North West buses. But a quick view of the side of the bus revealed that they did a paper day ticket. We got on the bus and we booked Day tickets at £5.50 each. We went upstairs and Matthew took a photo inside Go North West 3256 before we sat down.

Inside Go North West 3256

A few minutes later the bus set off and we went under the shopping centre. We turned left onto Legh Street and we headed Southwards. We turned left onto Sankey Street and right onto Bold Street. We turned left onto Suez Street and we ran forwards onto Rylands Street. We turned right onto Bridge Street and left onto Academy Way. We turned left onto Academy Street and right onto Buttermarket Street. We crossed the A49 and we left town along Church Street. We joined the Eastbound A57 and we continued out of town. We continued through Bruche and Woolston before crossing over the M6 at junction 21. We continued Eastwards along the A57 before we turned left onto Manchester Road into Hollins Green village. We paused outside of of the Black Swan pub, before rejoining the A57. At the next roundabout we turned left onto Liverpool Road and we ran into Cadishead. We continued under the railway line and into Irlam. we rejoined the A57 at Barton Moss and we ran past the Baron City Airport. We ran forwards onto the Salford Western Gateway and past the A J Bell stadium. We followed the road under the M60 and over the Manchester Ship canal lift bridge. We ran forwards onto Trafford Way and we crossed the Bridgewater circular before entering the Trafford Centre. We pulled into the bus statio and we got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 3256 before it continued on towards Manchester.

Go North West 3256 in Trafford Centre bus station

Once off the bus we took a few more pictures before going to the toilet. before we went as Matthew was taking a picture of an Arriva bus, the driver called us over. He handed Matthew a piece of Arriva Merchandise over and Matthew said thank you to the driver. After Matthew had been to the toilet we stood at North end of the bus station whilst we waited for the next Go North West bus that we could do on the ticket. Whilst we were waiting we saw a number of Vision Travel double deckers coming and going into the bus station. Sale Sharks had been playing at home against Wasps. Vision Travel run shuttle to the stadium and back to allow fans to park up at the Trafford Centre. We saw Vision Travel BJ11 DUV on one of the Sale Sharks shuttle buses.

Vision Travel BJ11 DUV in Trafford Centre bus station

Also seen was Vision Travel BJ11 DTF on another one of the Sale Sharks shuttle buses.

Vision Travel BJ11 DTF in Trafford Centre bus station

After about a 20 minute wait we saw Go North West 3108 on a #100 to Manchester.

Go North West 3108 in Trafford Centre bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Go North west day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs. At the same time we saw Go North West 6160 on a #52 to Cheetham Hill. The bus set off out of the bus station and we headed East on 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. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Go North West 3108 before it continued on towards Manchester.

Go North West 3108 in Eccles Interchange

Once off the bus we had a quick look around. We saw Diamond North West 20871 on a #65 to Prestwich. We headed back inside the Interchange and we spotted Go North West 3240 on a #67 to Manchester.

Go North West 3240 in Eccles Interchange

We got on the bus and we placed the Go North west day ticket under the scanner before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the Unterchange and we travelled Eastwards along Regent Street. At the roundabout we joined the Northbound A576 and we crossed over the M602. We continued the road turned through 90' and we travelled Eastwards past Salford hospital. WE continued for another mile before diving down below the A6 and coming up on Pendleton roundabout. We ran around the roundabout past the police station and KFC and down the side of Salford Shopping Centre on Hankinson Way. After a brief stop opposite to the shopping centre and continued down to the roundabout and we turned left onto Churchill Way. We turned left onto Cross Lane and we turned right onto the A6. We passed Salford Crescent railway station and we headed into town passing white minibus N121 BUS. We continued along Chapel Street and we went under the railway line by Salford Central railway station. We continued into the city centre and we turned left onto Victoria Street. We turned right onto Hunts bank and past the Manchester Arena and the entrance to Manchester Victoria railway station. WE followed the road around to the right onto Victoria Station Approach and we went forward onto Todd Street past the National Football Museum. We turned right onto Corporation Street and left onto Withy Grove. We continued onto Shudehill and we entered the Interchange. Once off the bus we had a walk around. Matthew used the toilet, and becasue the disabled toilet was out of action it cost 60p to take him to the toilet for me to go and make sure that he was okay and get through the dodgy turnstyle. We walked up to the top end of the Interchange and we saw Go North West 6207 on a #98 to Bury.

Go North West 6207 in Manchester Shudehill

Also seen was Megabus 54263 on a M36 service to Bristol.

Megabus 54263 in Manchester Shudehill

We walked up to the top end of the bus station and we took some pictures on the road outside. We saw Stagecoach Manchester 10850 on a #112 to Manchester Piccadilly.

Stagecoach Manchester 10850 on Shudehill

A few minutes later we were surprised by preserved Bolton Corporation 77 which was heading into Shudehill Interchange.

Bolton Corporation 77 in Manchester Shudehill

Another vehicle seen was Stagecoach Manchester 10863 on a #112 to Middleton.

Stagecoach Manchester 10863 in Manchester Shudehill

We headed back into the Interchange and we saw Go North West 3001 on a #17 to Rochdale.

Go North West 3001 in Manchester Shudehill

I originally tol Matthew that we had to leave on a #33/67 or 100 service so they we could headed back towards Warrington. Matthew spotted a #97, so we decided we could do this Northwards to intercept the #52 bus. It pulled onto the stand and we saw that it was Go North West 6164 on a #97 to Bury.

Go North West 6164 in Manchester Shudehill

We got on the bus and we placed the Go North west day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Interchange and we turned right onto Shudehill. We continued onto Withy Grove and we turned right onto Corporation Street. We turned left onto Todd Street and we continued onto Victoria Station Approach. We ran past the front of Victoria Railway statio along Hunts Bank and we turned left onto Victoria Street. We ran along Chapel Street and we turned right under the railway line onto Blackfriars Road. We continued Northwards out fo the city centre and we crossed over the A6042. We continued Northwards up the A6041 and we continued forwards onto the A5066. We crossed over the river Irwell and we Headed along Great Clowes Street. When we got to Albert park we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Go North West 6164 as it continued Northwards towards Bury.

Go North West 6164 in Brougton

We walked around the corner to the bus stop on Great Cheetham Street West and we waited for a Orbits bus towards Eccles. Whilst we waited we saw Go North West 6156 on a #52 towards Cheetham Hill.

Go North West 6156 in Brougton

A short time later we saw Go North West 6157 on a #52 to Eccles.

Go North West 6157 in Brougton

We got on the bus and we placed the Go North west day ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Great Cheetham Street West and ran forwards onto Cromwell Road. We crossed over the Irwell and we turned right onto Gerald Road. We turned left onto Douglas Green and we turned left onto Langley Road South. We turned right onto the A576 and we ran Southwards towards Pendleton. We crossed over the A6 and we ran down past the side of Salford Shopping Centre along Hankinson Way. We turned right onto Heywood Way and right onto Fitzwarren Street. We turned left onto Seedley Road and left onto Langworth Rpad. We turned right onto Liverpool Street and we ran forwards onto Tootal Road. We followed the road around the corner onto Tootal Drive and we turned left onto Eccles Old Road. We crossed over the M602 and at Ladywell roundabout we turned right onto Regent Street. We pulled up outside of the Interchange and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we visited the Eccles Cross pub. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we left the pub and crossed back over the road to join uncle Dave. We saw Arriva NW&W 3134 on a #10 to Brookhouse.

Arriva NW&W 3134 in Eccles Interchange

Right behind the Arriva bus was Go North West 3257 on a #100 to Hollins Green.

Go North West 3257 in Eccles Interchange

We got on the bus and we placed the Go North west day ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off from outside the Interchange and we ran along Regent Street. We ran forwards onto Church Street and forwards onto Liverpool Road. We turnd left onto the B5211 and we headed into Barton upon Irwell and over the Manchester Ship Canal. We turned right onto the B5214 and we came into the Trafford Centre from the North end. After a stop in the Trafford Centre bus station we came out of the bus station and we headed onto Trafford Way. We ran past the Travelodge where we saw an unidentified Roberts Travel(Hugglescote) coach. We ran along the Salford Western Gateway, over the Manchester Ship Canal and under the M60. We ran past the A J Bell Stadium and we joined the Westbound A57. We ran past the City Airport to Barton Moss where we turned right onto Liverpool Road. As we ran towards Irlam we saw an unidentified The Traveller's Choice coach heading Eastwards along the A57. We turned right onto Silver Street and left onto Morrilion Road. We turned left onto Merlin Road and left onto Cutnook Lane. We ran forwards onto Moorfield Road and we turned right onto Liverpool Road. We ran past Prince's Park and we got up and got off the bus outside Lidl. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Go North West 3257 as it continued towards Hollins Green.

Go North West 3257 in Irlam

Once off the bus we walked past Lidl and we headed into the car park at Tesco to meet up with mum. Matthew and I went into Tesco and he used the toilet. Afterwards we brought a meal deal of which Matthew had a bottle of Coke, and he also had a Kinder egg. We returned to the car and we set off to a nearby chip shop, We set off onto Liverpool Road and we turned right onto Ferryhill Road. We stopped at the chip shop and Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with his bottle of Coke. When we had finished eating we continued along Ferryhill Road and we turned left onto Ferry Road. We turned left onto Liverpool Road and we turned left onto Fairhills Road and past Tesco. At the end of the road we turned right onto the A57. We ran Weswards under the former railway line to Stockport and we joined the Southbound M6. We headed Southwards through Cheshire and we came off the We came off the M6 at junction 16 and we joined the Southbound A500. Seen on the A500 were 2 x unidentified Burland coaches and Jayjays Travel YM61 PUA. We came off the A500 at Stoke and we headed Southwards before veering left onto Whieldon Road. We stopped at uncle Dave's house. Matthew used the toilet and afterwards drank some of uncle Rob's pop. We set off onto Wheildon Road and we ran forwards onto Grove Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfiels Drive and we got back to Blurton around 19:50. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark