Trip to Oakengates / Telford 12-04-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2962	Oakengates BS	Telford BS	7	Arriva Midlands
3311	Telford BS	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	4	Arriva Midlands
3312	Madeley Centre (Stand A)	Telford BS	4	Arriva Midlands
2145	Telford BS	Boseley, adj Garage	8	Arriva Midlands
2141	Boseley, opp Garage	Madeley Centre (Stand C)	8A	Arriva Midlands
3332	Madeley Centre (Stand C)	Telford BS	2	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to re-visit Telford. Research consisted of looking on the Arriva Website to look at tickets and checking where we could eat and checking the weather which was for mainly dry and sunny weather. Matthew woke up around 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had apple juice and toast for breakfast. We got ready and we set off to pick up uncle Dave around 11:50. 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. After picking up uncle Dave we continued down Wheildon Road and under the railway line. We crossed over the canal and we joined the Northbound A500. we turned right onto City Road and back onto the Southbound A500 and we ran through Hanford to the end of the A500. We turned left onto the A519 and we passed Longmile Coach 800 XPG coming the other way. We continued Southwards through Eccleshall and we ran down to the A41 Newport bypass. We joined the Southbound A518. We turned left onto the A4640 and we headed inti Oakengates. We park up in the the centre of town and we walked onto New Street and we turned left onto Market Street. We were looking for a cafe called the outpost. The map said it was behind market Street so we walked down a passageway. The cafe turned out to be on the 1st floor of a council building. We enetered the building and we went upstairs. Matthew went to the toilet and mum ordered the food. Matthew had a small breakfast with an extra sausage washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we wend out of the building and directly back to the car to pick up the trip bag. We said goodbye to mum and we walked back past the theatre and through to shopping arcade back to the bus station. We went to check out the toilets and they looked closed down. The disabled toilet still looked to be open so we used the key and we were surprised to see that this was being used as some kind of store room. We walked back to the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Telford. Whilst we waited we saw Arriva Midlands 3330 on a #4 to Leegomary.

Arriva Midlands 3330 in Oakengates bus station

A few seconds later we saw a suitable bus approaching. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 2962 on a #7 to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2962 in Oakengates bus station

We got on the bus and we booked a Shropshire and telford Duo Day Saver tickets at £15 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran down Uxacona Way and by the railway station we turned left onto station Road. We crossed over the A442 and we ran East along the B5061 until we got to the A5. We went South over the M54 and we headed to Telford railway station. There we nobody there to get on or off the bus so we came straight back out and onto the roundabout. We crossed over the A442 and onto Hollinsgate before going forwards onto Grange Central. We turned right onto Northfield street and we ran into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we did a lap of the bus station and took a few bus pictures. We saw Arriva Midlands 3323 on a #4 to Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3323 in Telford bus station

We headed into the shopping centre and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we returned to the bus station and we had a look wat we could catch. We decided to head towards Madeley. A shirt time later we saw a bus on stand. As we got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3311 on a #4 to Madeley.

Arriva Midlands 3311 in Telford bus station

We got on the bus and we placed the Shropshire and telford Duo Day Saver ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto Northfield Street and Near to the ice rink. We ran forwards onto St Quintins Gate and we crossed the roundabout onto Stirchley Avenue and we ran down to the A442. We ran fast for 2/3rd of a mile and then forwards onto the A4169. We turned onto the Southbound B4373 and then right onto Woodside Avenue. We ran around the woodside housing estate and then forwards onto Eastbound B4373. At the roundabout we went onto Mound Way and we ran to the edge of Madeley. At the next roundabout we went onto Parkway and we past an Aldi. We bypassed Madeley town centre and we came in from the other end up High Street. When we got to the top we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 3311 before it carried on towards Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3311 in Madeley

Once off the bus Mattew went to the toilet block around the corner and used the toilet. We spotted a gost sign on Court Street so we went over to investigate and we headed past the former Wesleyan church which is going to be converted into flats. On the way back to the bus stops we saw Arriva Midlands 3742 on a #2 Sutton Hill circular.

Arriva Midlands 3742 in Madeley

We went back to the bus stop by the toilet block. We considered catching the 100 service, but we saw it go up the High Street and miss the stop for some reason, It was Chaserider 6501 on the #100 to Wellington. We then waited for the #1 which for some reason also didn't turn up. We decied to go around the corner and catch the next #4 as we had been in Madeley for almost an hour. We went around the corner and a few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 3312 on a #4 to Leegomery.

Arriva Midlands 3312 in Madeley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. At the roundabout we went forwards onto Mound Way. At the roundabout we went West along the B4373 before turning ritgh into Woodside Avenue. We ran around the Woodside estate before turning left onto the Northbound B4373. We ran up the the big roundabout and we turned right onto the A4169. We ran forwards onto the A442 and at the next junction we came off onto Stirchley Avenue. At the next roundabout we ran forwards onto St Quentins Gate and then forwards agin onto Northfield Street and into the bus station. We got off the bus and we got off the bus. We had a look around the bus station and we headed down to the bottom end. We saw Arriva Midlands 2145 awaiting time to work a #8 to Bridgnorth.

Arriva Midlands 2145 in Telford bus station

We had a walk around but it seem Matthew wanted to do the Bridgnorth service so we waited around for 20 odd minutes. Whilst we waited for the bus sto be readied for service, we saw Banga Travel YD63 UZY on a #891 to Wolverhampton.

Banga Travel YD63 UZY in Telford bus station

When it was time for the Bridgenorth bus it was as expected Arriva Midlands 2145. We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bu station and we turned right onto Northfield Street. We turned left onto Milners Lane and left onto Cemetery Road. We continued onto Bank Road and we turned right onto Concorde. We turned left onto Station Road and Right onto Martingale Way. We turned left onto the B5072 and we headed Westwards. We ran forwards onto Peppermill and into an unsual modern housing estate. We turned left onto Glendale and we followed the road to the left and headed Southwards. We turned right into a little triangle junction on which the bus stop was situated. We turned right onto the other side of the traingle and left to rejoined Glendale. We turned left onto Smallhill Road and we ran forwards onto The Crescent. We crossed a roundabout and we ran forwards onto Dawley Road. We continued onto Heath Hill and we turned right onto the B4373. We turned right on to Station Road and we ran past the Telford Steam Railway. We continued onto Bridge Road and we headed Eastwards. We ran forwards onto Wellington Road and we continued onto Ellens Bank. We ran onto Little Flin and forwards onto Lightmoor Way. We turned left onto the A4169 and we ran fast to the edge of Madeley. We turned right onto the B4373 and we turned left onto Parkway. We turned left onto Maddocks and left onto Park Avenue. We ran forwards onto High Street and after a brief stop we turned left onto Court Street. We turned left onto Parkway and we ran to the roundabout. We turned left onto the B4373 and we ran down the hill into Ironbridge Gorge. At the bottom of the hill there was a sharp left turn. In order to do the turn tou have to go around the rouandabout once as it would be impossible to do the turn otherwise. We continued Eastwards along the B4373 and we cross over the River Severn on the modern suspension bridge. We turned left onto Lloyds Head and we ran over a form railway level crossing onto Calcutts Road. We turned left to re-join the B4373 and we ran into Boseley. As wewere unsure where the bus coming the other way was we got up and got off the bus by the garage. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2145 as it continued towards Bridgenorth.

Arriva Midlands 2145 in Boseley

Once off the bus we crossed over the road to wait for the bus back towards Madeley. Whilst we waited we saw red minibus BG57 JTO parked up. We saw our bus heading into Pound Lane. After running to the end and turning around at turned back out onto the B4373. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva Midlands 2141 on a #8A to Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2141 in Boseley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Northwards up the B4373 and we ran towards Ironbridge Gorge. We turned right onto Calcutts Road and we headed back across the former railway level crossing onto Lloyds Head. We re-joined the B4373 and we crossed over the river Severn. We headed towards Ironbridge and at the roundabout we did the sharp right turn to continued along the B4373 and out of the valley. WE ran up the hill towards Madeley and at the roundabout we turned left onto Parkway. We turned left onto Maddocks and left onto Park Avenue. We ran forwards onto High Street where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2141 as it continued towards Telford.

Arriva Midlands 2141 in Madeley

Once off the bus we walked along Court Street to the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we headed into the bar. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat and watch the Aresenal vs Brentford match on the TV for a while. When we had finished our drink we headed back along Court Street. We saw Chaserider 6502 awaiting time on a #100 to Wellington.

Chaserider 6502 in Madeley

We decided the next bus due that we hadn't already been on was a #2 service so we waited at the appropriate stop. A short time later the bus came around the corner. We saw it was Arriva Midlands 3332 on a #2 Sutton Hill circular service,

Arriva Midlands 3332 in Madeley

We go on the bus and we placed the West Midlands Day Saver Duo ticket under the scanner for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Park Avenue and we ran onto Court Street and we turned left onto Parkway. We re-joined the Northbound B4373 and we crossed the A4169 ponto Majestic Way. At the end of the road we re-joined the Northbound B4373 before turning left onto The Old Vicarage. We turned right onto Trinity Road and we followed the road around onto Deepfield Road. We turned left onto Manor Road and right onto Webb Crescent. We crossed over Finger Road onto New Street and we continued onto King Street. We turned right onto Johnston Road and left onto Eyton Road. We turned left onto Mount Road and right onto Brunel Road. We ran to the edge of town and we turned right at the roundabout onto Malinsgate and past the Severn Gorge pub. We ran onto Northfield Stre and we entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we had a walk around and took a few pictures. We headed out onto the road and as we were approaching mum appeared in the car. We got in the car and we set off along Northfield Street. We turned left onto Grange Central and we ran forwards onto Hollingstgate. We crossed over the A442 onto the A5 and we saw Brit Coaches BU18 YMP. We turned left onto Redhill Way and we crossed the roundabout onto Donnington Wood Way. We followed the road into Muxton and we stopped at Wellington Road and into the car park. I went across the road and bought food. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Irn Bru. After I had finished eating we turned right onto Wellington Road and right onto Donnington Wood Way. We turned right onto the A518 and we headed towards Newport. At the edge of town we turned left onto the A41 on the Newport bypass. After a couple of junctions we turned right onto the A519. We headed through Forton and Woodseaves and into Eccleshall. We continued along the A519 through Cotes Heath and Beech. We reached Hanchurch and we joined the Northboud A500. We ran through Hanford and into Stoke and we turned right onto City Road. We headed back South on the A500 and we veered left onto Whieldon Road past the old Board Products factory which is being converted into a new soft play place. We stopped at uncle Dave's so that Mattew could use the toilet and update uncle Dave's calendar with today's trip. He also had some of uncle Rod's Fanra orange. When we had finished we got in the car and we set off back to Blurton. We set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now being set up as an Indian Restaurant. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Street. We turned right onto the A5035 and back to Blurton just after 20:00. Matthew had his medication and afterwards 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. Matthew got ready for bed. Later on Matthew had a french fancy and a can of Irn Bru. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Southport 29-12-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2141	Esplanade Park & Ride	Southport, adj Duke Street	PR1	Arriva NW&W
3084	Southport, opp Duke Street	Crossens, on Rufford Road	49	Arriva NW&W
7648	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Chapel Street (Stop EA)	44	Arriva NW&W
4103	Southport, Monument (Stop CA)	Crossens, on Rufford Road	49	Arriva NW&W
7651	Crossens, on Preston New Road	Southport, Chapel Street (Stop EA)	44	Arriva NW&W
2725	Southport, opp The Wellington	Crossens, on Preston New Road	44	Arriva NW&W
3084	Crossens, on Rufford Road	Highpark, High Park Place (W-bound)	49	Arriva NW&W
7654	Highpark, adj Roe Lane	Southport, London Street (Stop Hb)	43	Arriva NW&W
2143	Southport, Monument	Esplanade Park & Ride	PR1	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to go to Southport. No research was done for this trip, other than to check the weather. When we checked on Friday it was down for sunshine, but by Saturday morning it was forecast rain. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had some toast and orange juice for breakfast. As it was a longer trip we set off around 11:15. We headed toward Heron Cross, passing Lightning Travel NX03 JYJ parked up in Heron Cross. We also saw First Marshall Dart 40173 on a Hanley bound #23 service. At the A50 we headed West to the A500. We did this North to Etruria where we came off on shelton New Road to get LPG. After filling up we got back on the A53 which we did West to the A500. We then got on the Northbound M6. It was quite busy and wet, and we averaged around 50mph as we headed North. Traffic improved a little as we headed North and we eventually got onto the M58. At the A570 we headed North and the road to Ormskirk was quiet. At Ormskirk we pulled into Morrisons to have dinner. Matthew had a small breakfast and his favourite lemon meringue pie for afters. After we had eaten we go back into the car and carried on along the A570. We headed into Southport passing a Volvo B7TL on the inbound #385 service. As the Kew park and ride site was shut for the Winter, we had to head into town and throughtto the Esplanade park and ride site. As we approached we saw an Arriva liveried Enviro 200 so we knew it was going to be a required one if we parked up quickly enough. We parked up and went straight for the bus, forgoing a toilet stop. Matthew got a quick picture of required Arriva NW&W 2141 before we boarded the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2141 at the Esplanade P&R site

We did the PR1 to the last stop on Lord street. We saw Arriva NW&W 7654, seen on a #43 service. Matthew got a better picture as we got off the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2141 in Lord Street

We crossed the road to see what was working. At the stop was Tyrers Optare Solo SJ54 GDA on a #347 service. This is the first time we have seen this operator in Southport.

Tyrers SJ54 GDA in Lord Street

There was a long time to wait for the next #375/385 service. so we decided to do a #49 up to Crossens so we could see what was out. The net #49 to turn up was dud Arriva NW&W 3084, but we decided to do it anyway. As we got on we passed Volvo B7TL 4103 heading South on a #49. We also saw required Marshall Dart 7648 on a Northbound #42. We thought that if the #49 was quick enough. We might catch up with 7648 at Crossens. The bus was fairly quiet today and we made good time as we headed North. When we got to the end Matthew got a picture of the empty interior of 3084.

Inside Arriva NW&W 3084

He got off and then took a picture of the outside of the bus too.

Arriva NW&W 3084 at Crossens

We walked down to the stop on the Preston New Road to see when the #44 was due and it wasn't fo another few minutes. Then we saw 7648 approach from the South. Matthew wen to the toilet as he is such a cool character and I waited for him to come out. He then got a picture of 7648 before getting on it.

Arriva NW&W 7648 at Crossens

As it was empty he also got his empty bus picture too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7648

We sat down and wait a minute or so for the bus to depart. as we came into town we also saw two other required buses. Marshall's 7643 and 7646 were out on the #43/46's. I thought it might be a good idea to do a #49 South to Carr Lane. to see if we could get one or the other of these buses. We waited for 5 minutes for the next #49 to appear and it was dud Arriva NW&W 3085. Matthew decided he didn't want to do this bus and was a little unsettled for a short while. We then spied B7TL 4103 approaching from the South so we decided to do this instead. It took ages to get across the road but it took the bus even longer to move up Lord street! We got on and went upstairs. I asked Matthew if he wanted to go to High Park to meet the #43 or go all the way and he chose to go all the way. the top deck was nearly empty but it didn't empty out complete until the end of the run. matthew then got his empty bus picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4103

We got off and got a picture of the outside of the bus too.

Arriva NW&W 4103 at Crossens

We checked the time and we saw that there was a #44 due. It was already at the stop and it was dud Arriva NW&W 7651. It's always nice to do one of these Marshall although they are starting to show their age a little.

Arriva NW&W 7651 at Crossens

This bus was empty too and so he got his picture here.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7651

We headed South into town. past the 2 co-op food shops on the #44 route. When we got to the edge of town we saw Arriva NW&W 2727 on a #300 service. We did this to the stop on Eastbank Street again and as got off. We saw One of the required Marshall pull off the stop in front on a Souhbound #43. We saw required Volvo B10BLE on a Nortbound service #44. I asked Matthew if he wanted to do it and he said yes. He took a picture across the street before we coolly crossed the road to get on the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2725 on Eastbank Street

He must have know there was a drive change taking place because we had to wait a short while to get on. We then formulated a plan which might help us get one of the required Marshalls. It was starting to go dark and we knew it would be out last trip out before returning home. We thought we could go to Crossens on this #44, do a #49 to High Park and then get off for a #43 into town, hopefully doing one of the required Marshalls. The journey up was nice on this fine beast. and when we got to the other end he got his empty bus picture.

Inside Arriva NW&W 2725

We got off and crossed the new Preston Road and walked up to the #49 stop. The bus was already on the stop and it was dud for the day Arriva NW&W 3084.

Arriva NW&W 3084 at Crossens

We waited for the bus to be readied for the return journey and then we got on. Matthew then took another empty bus picture. We sat down and I downloaded the #43 service timetable to check on times and frequency. The next bus was due of High Park at 16:59 so we had 10 minutes to get there. It was every 30 minutes so we didn't want to miss it. We set off on 3084 and I think we only picked up 1 other passenger as we traveled in. We got to High park with about a minute to spare and we leapt off 3084 before jogging around the corner to a waiting Marshall. Unfortunately it wasn't one of the required ones it was dud 7654. Matthew got a picture before we boarded.

Arriva NW&W 7654 at High Park

He got on and got his inside picture too.

Inside Arriva NW&W 7654

We called mum to ask her to meet us at the stop at the end of Hoghton Street. when we got there we got off and e got a picture of this bus.

Arriva NW&W 7654 on Hoghton Street

We crossed the street and we saw Arriva NW&W 4101 on a North #43 too.

Arriva NW&W 4101 on Hoghton Street

We met up with mum and then visited a papershop for a chocolate bar and a can of Coke before walking to the monument to catch the returning PR1 service. We arrived at an empty bus stop and the bus turned up almost immediately. It was dud Arriva NW&W 2143. We got on the bus and almost immediately a dzen peopl turned up to get on the bus. We did this back to the Esplanade P&R site before a quick visit to the toilet. We then went around the end of the building to get a picture of the bus.

Arriva NW&W 2143 at the Esplanade P&R site (Mark)

We will have to return to ride on the Marshall Darts 7639,7643 and 7646 on another day. The journey back was quite quick. We set off around 17:30 and we headed through town and onto the A570. we went around Ormskirk town and on the A570 down to the M58. We did this back to the M6. We headed south to the A500. It was quite busy as there was and accident between junctions 16 & 15. We were able to keep moving and then we got on the Southbound A500 down to the A50. We then went past the Britannia stadium, scene of the earlier 3-3 draw with Southampton. we then went along Stanley Matthew Way and past the Hen Heath pub before getting home around 19:00. As it was a longer trip we ordered some food in and matthew chiled out on his computer before bedtime...Mark