Trip to Cleveleys / Blackpool 23-07-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
216	Cleveleys, Victoria Square (Stop 4)	Blackpool, by Starr Gate	1	Blackpool Transport
375	Blackpool, by Starr Gate	Blackpool, o/s Cabin	1	Blackpool Transport
330	Blackpool, o/s Cabin	Cleveleys, by Crescent	1	Blackpool Transport
377	Cleveleys, by Crescent	Fleetwood, Bold Street Interchange	1	Blackpool Transport
311	Fleetwood, Bold Street Interchange	Fleetwood, by Elm Street	14	Blackpool Transport
374	Fleetwood, by fire station	Fleetwood, Bold Street Interchange	1	Blackpool Transport

Today Matthew decided that we were going up to the Fylde Coast. On Thursday he had spotted a picture on Flickr that informed us that Saturday was the last day for the Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympians with Blackpool Transport. There were scheduled to be at least 3 buses on the #1 from Starr Gate to Fleetwood, so we decided that we were going to start the day in Cleveleys. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:10 ans we headed through Blurton on Beaconsfield Drive. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Blurton Road. We stopped at the Post Office. Whilst there we saw First Potteries 67632 on a #22 to Newcastle. Once we had picked up a parcel we continued along Blurton Road to Heron Cross. We joined the Westbound A50 and we ran to Sideway where we took the Northbound A500. The road was very quiet today. It appeared that most of the local people in teaching jobs had jumped on a plane yesterday afternoon shortly after the bell rang just like in the Barclaycard Advert! We got to the M6 and there was quite heavy traffic going North. As we travelled North we saw Hollinshead DH13 HOL, A-Line CU51 EEZ, SS Travel UKZ 9473, an unidentified AJK Travel coach in Knutsford services (Northbound), Pat;s Coaches J7 WXM, Happy Days 220, Howards F19 HOW, an unidentified Battersby Silver Grey coach, white coach F687 ONR, white coach BU16 ???, an unidentifed Caledonian Travel coach and minibuses MT07 ZAG & YG53 VHV as well as an unidentified Myalls of Bassingbourn Coach. North of the M56 the road was much quieter and we mage better time. We joined the Westbound M55 and we saw former Bakers Coaches now Harris Travel 9995 RU. We ran for around 10 miles and we came off the motorway onto the A585. We followed the road North until we came to a roundabout next to a Morrisons. We went West along Victoria Road West and we passed Catch22Bus Routemaster RM1583 on the #21 to St Anne's. We turned left onto North Drive and right onto Anchorsholm Lane East. We turned right onto the A587, crossing over the tram line and we turned right by Aldi into Runnymede Avenue where we parked up. We walked around the corner back onto the A587 and we stopped for dinner at The Tramstop Cafe. When we got there Matthew went to the toilet. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of diet Coke. Whilst we are we saw Blackpool Transport Optare Excel 220 on a #7 service, and two of the Volvo Olympians 374 & 375 on the #1 service. After we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and as we had just missed a Northbound #1 service, we decided to cross over the road and tram line to the Southbound stop. At the stop when we got there was Blackpool Transport 293 on a #4 service to Mereside Tesco.

Blackpool Transport 293 in Cleveleys

We had around 10 minutes before the next #1 service, which was due at 14:26. A few minutes alter we saw Catch22Bus Dart W363 VHB on a #21 to the Pleasure Beach.

Catch22Bus W363 VHB in Cleveleys

Shortly after that we saw Blackpool Transport Solo 249 on a #3 to Mereside Tesco.

Blackpool Transport 249 in Cleveleys

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. It wasn't a Volvo Olympian, but it was something almost as good. It was required Blackpool Transport Optare Excel 216 on a #1 to Starr Gate.

Blackpool Transport 216 in Cleveleys

We got on the bus and we brought Adult24 tickets at £5 each before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off South down the A587 and we ran through Norbreck and Bispham quite quickly. Just North of the North Pier we hit traffic and we moved very slowly through town. We passed the North Pier and started to make slightly quicker progress. Going North we saw dud Blackpool Transport 377 on a #1 to Fleetwood. Past the Central pier we went a little quicker still but the bus was now quite late. We passed required Blackpool Transport 374 on a #1 to Cleveleys, presumably cut short due to late running. Once past the Pleasure Beach we went through the back streets onto Clifton Drive. and right onto the new South Promenade where the bus terminated. As the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 216.

Inside Blackpool Transport 216

We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 216 before it carried on back to Fleetwood.

Blackpool Transport 216 in Blackpool

The bus set off almost immediately as it was late. In Theory we now had around a 15 minute wait for the next bus back North at 15:40. We sat on a rck by the tram station and Matthew ate a pack of Milky Stars. Whilst we waited for our bus we saw Catch22Bus Leyland Atlantean AHG 334V on a #21 to Cleveleys.

Catch22Bus AHG 334V in Blackpool

We waited patiently for the bus... 15:40 came and went and then bus never appeared. We watch a few trams arrive and depart and we saw Rotherham based Ford minibus FV07 ELH go Northwards up the Promenade.

Rotherham FV07 ELH in Blackpool

A few minutes later we saw Swans Travel coach YN58 CFX going South down the road.

Swans Travel YN58 CFX in Blackpool

A few minutes alter we saw a bus coming out of Clifton Drive. It was an Olympian! As it got closer we saw it was required Blackpool Transport 375.

Blackpool Transport 375 in Blackpool

It was just after 16:00 and we had final caught up with our first Olympian of the day. We got on the bus and we flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver. The bottom deck of the bus was empty so matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 375.

Inside Blackpool Transport 375

We went upstairs and the bus set off up the New South Promenade. We got to the South Pier and we started to hit traffic again. As we passed the coach park we saw Dunwood YN64 AOJ. We traveled slowly North stuck behind Landau after Landau, overtaking where the road was clear and wide enough. Coming the other way we saw Blackpool Transport 330 and 328 on the #1 towards Starr Gate. Just before the North Pier we saw required Blackpool Transport 374 going South. A few enthusiast types got on the bus and one that I recognised I asked about what was out. We worked out between us that there were just the 3 Volvo Olympian double deckers out, and he informed me that the last one off fleetwood was due to work the 18:45 from the interchange and it was booked to be required Blackpool Transport 374. As we got North of the North Pier and we got out into traffic free roads we decided to get off the bus somewhere. We went North of Gynn Square and someone rang the bell and we spotted a public toilet so we thought it would be a good place to get off. It was adjacent to the Cabin tram stop. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 375.

Blackpool Transport 375 in Blackpool

We crossed the tram track an Matthew used the toilet. Whilst we were there we saw Catch22Bus AHG 334V and heritage tram 230 which turned around and went back South. We weren't sure how long we had as the buses were clearly not running to timetable due to the traffic problems. Matthew and uncle Dave were looking over the wall towards the see when I spotted a bus in the distance so I shouted them back over. As it closer we saw that it was required Blackpool Transport 330.

Blackpool Transport 330 in Blackpool

We got on the bus and we flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The back of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 330.

Inside Blackpool Transport 330

The bus set off Northwards up the A587 through Bispham and Norbrek and we passed required Blackpool Transport 313 and Blackpool Transport 216 that we had been on earlier. we decided to get up and get off in Cleveleys so we could catch another bus. As we turned the corner by Aldi we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 330 as it carried on Northwards towards Fleetwood.

Blackpool Transport 330 in Cleveleys

We crossing the road and were about to cross the tram track when we saw dud Blackpool Transport 329 going South. As it was dud we decided not to rush after it. Before we crossed back over to the Northbound Stop we saw Blackpool Transport 528 on a #7 to Cleveleys.

Blackpool Transport 528 in Cleveleys

According to the timetable there was a bus due at 17:26. That was only in a few minutes time. As we looked up we saw it thundering around the corner it was another Olympian. Dud Blackpool Transport 377 had somehow gone past us Southwards and was heading towards us!

Blackpool Transport 377 in Cleveleys

We got on the bus and we flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 377.

Inside Blackpool Transport 377

The last time we had been on this bus was almost 6 years ago to the day when we had it from Devonshire Road to Blackpool Tower on the #11 service in July 2010. We set off Northwards up the A587 for around 2 miles and at the roundabout we turned right onto Hatfield Avenue past Fleetwood Town's football ground. We followed the road around to the right onto Peel Road and we turned left onto Radcliffe Road. We turned right onto Copse Road and we ran forwards onto Lord Street where we passed Blackpool Transport 375 on it's final run South. We ran through the town and onto North Albert Street and we followed the tram line around to the right onto Bold Street. We had originally planned to stay on the bus to the Freeport, but after a couple of minutes stopped we decided to get off. This turned out to be a good thing as we were about to find out. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Blackpool Transport 377.

Blackpool Transport 377 in Fleetwood Interchange

Once off the bus we went over to the Ferry cafe and used the toilet. After we cam out Matthew had an ice cream and a few cans of pop for later. We sat down on a bench opposite to the cafe Matthew ate his ice cream and we watched the bus depart. As well as Blackpool Transport 377 on it last ever #1 to Starr Gate we saw Blackpool Transport 359 running out of service off a #14 service.

Blackpool Transport 359 in Fleetwood Interchange

We also let Blackpool Transport 351 go which was on a #14 to Mereside Tesco. The had been to wait for the 18:09 #1 to Freeport and do it to the bottom of Lord Street for Blackpool Transport 374 back in on the service that form the 18:45 from the Interchange to Starr Gate. Had we had tried to do this we would have failed! The 18:09 didn't show up. !8:09 came and went and the only bus about was required Blackpool Transport 311 which was going to be working the 18:15 to Mereside Tesco.

Blackpool Transport 311 in Fleetwood Interchange

A few minutes later Blackpool Transport 527 arrived at the interchange on what we assumed would be the following #14 to Mereside Tesco.

Blackpool Transport 527 in Fleetwood Interchange

We decided to do Blackpool Transport 311 as plan B and forget what we assumed would be required Blackpool Transport 328 on the #1. We got on the bus and we Flashed the Adult24 ticket to the driver. As the downstairs was empty Matthew took a picture inside of Blackpool Transport 311.

Inside Blackpool Transport 311

We went upstairs and this was also empty too, so Matthew took another picture Blackpool Transport 311.

Inside Blackpool Transport 311

The bus set off out of the interchange and onto Queens Terrace by the Ferry Cafe. We turned right into Pharos Street past the big stone lighthouse and we turned left onto Albert Street North. We ran down onto Lord Street and we passed required Blackpool Transport 328 on the late running #1 service to Freeport. At the bottom of Lord Street we continued onto Copse Road and we turned right onto Elm Street where we got up and got off the bus. We walked back around the corner onto Radcliffe Road but we could not see a bus stop so we knew it had to be a fair way down. It was close to 1/4 of a mile and we walked quickly as we didn't know when the bus was due. We got to the stop around 18:24 and we check the timetable on the bus stop. The bus to the interchange was due at 18:16! In theory we should have missed the bus... Before we even had chance to cacth our breath the bus turned the corner and it was as hoped required Blackpool Transport 374.

Blackpool Transport 374 in Fleetwood

We got on the bus and we flashed the adult24 ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off along Radcliffe Road. At the end we turned right across the the tram line and onto Copse Road. We joined Lord Street and we ran through town. We called mum to tell her we were heading to the Ferry terminal and we carried on into Albert Street North. We turned right into Bold Street and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Blackpool Transport 374.

Inside Blackpool Transport 374

We got off the bus and we took another picture of Blackpool Transport 374 before it took it final run down to Starr Gate.

Blackpool Transport 374 in Fleetwood Interchange

Whilst we waited for mum to come and pick us up we decided to venture onto the beach! This was the first time Matthew has been on sand for quite a while. After a quick photograph of this rare event we walked back onto firm land and we spotted mum parked opposite to us. we got in the car and as it was getting close to 18:45 we decided we would find a chippy and have chips in the car. We ran down Queen's terrace and we turned right into Kent Street. We turned left onto North Albert Street through the tram platforms and we spotted a chippy on the roundabout where Albert Street North went forwards onto Lord Street. I went into Granada fish bar and i brought 4 small portion of chips & gravy with a small sausage. Whilst we sat in the car eating we saw Blackpool Transport 306 & 372 on #14 service up to Fleetwood Interchange and Preston Bus Solo 20773 on a #74 service to Preston. We also saw Fleetwood based coach Comfy Coach ST02 GDZ dropping passengers off in town. When we had finished eating we set off onto Albert Street and right onto the A585. We then followed the A585 South to the M55. The road has been improved since our last run along this road with a couple of the main junctions upgraded. We got onto the M55 and we ran East to the M6. As we traveled South down the M6 we passed Preston Bus 20789, an unidentified Hodson coach, Walton's BX13 CZH & Knight's UKZ 9592. When we got to junction 16 we went East on the A500. On the A500 we saw Howards F19 HOW & Magnum SO59 HUA. At Sideway we went East on the A50 up to Longton so we could check out what vehicles were parked up at their depot. In the front row we saw Z Carz Ford minibus BN03 OVS.

Z Carz BN03 OVS in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Ford minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

next in the row we saw Z Carz Airport Division Ford minibus MJ03 DPU.

Z Carz MJ03 DPU in Longton

Nearest in the first row was Z Carz LDV minibus PN06 ONM.

Z Carz PN06 ONM in Longton

Closest to the road in the second row was Z Carz Ford minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

At the very back of the site we saw Z Carz Ford minibus PY08 KDX

Z Carz PY08 KDX in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. Nearest top the gate was Z Carz Volkswagen minibus S973 OVP.

Z Carz S973 OVP in Longton

We rejoined the top level A50 and we crossed over the main carriageway at the roundabout onto Baths Road. We went to the Tesco Petrol station and we topped up with diesel before we got back onto the Westbound A50. As it was now 21:15 we decided to drop uncle Dave off First. We dropped down into Fenton to drop him off home and we returned to Heron Cross and over the A50. We ran into Blurton along Blurton Road before turned right into Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 21:30. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we ate some jam filled shortbread biscuits. We looked the pictures we had taken today and Matthew went to bed around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Blackpool (Last day of Line 6) - 25-07-2010

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
260	Blackpool, Palatine Road	Tesco, Mereside	3	Blackpool Transpor
109	Tesco, Mereside	Corporation Street, Blackpool	6	Blackpool Transpor
107	Market Street, Blackpool	Hawes Side,Hemmingway SE bound	6	Blackpool Transpor
104	Hawes Side,Hemmingway NW bound	Queenstown, Spencer Court (NE-bound)	6	Blackpool Transpor
377	Queenstown, Devonshire Road Hospital	Blackpool Tower, Blackpool	11	Blackpool Transpor

Matthew should have been in respite on this day, but due to a staffing mix up it meant that we had to quickly find something for him to do. Having read about the end of Line 6 on Fylde bus blog I quickly arranged for us to go to Blackpool in order for Matthew to get the chance to ride on these buses before they were withdrawn from service. Preparation for the trip consisted of printing a timetable for Line 6, a Blackpool Transport route map and a map of the motorway exit and Mereside Tesco, just in case the Mrs needed to drive the support vehicle to here to pick us up. It took us a long time to get Matthew out of bed, which is fairly normal on a Sunday, and eventually we set off around 12:30. As always, when we go anywhere we have to make sure all Matthews needs are met in order to ensure we get the best behaviour Matthew and not mischievous Matthew! First thing on the agenda was to feed him up.

We arrived in Blackpool around 14:00 and we parked in the open car park behind the old bus station. We saw a cafe opposite on Topping Street (can't remember the name, but they're on Facebook apparently). All four of us ate and drank for under £10 and a reasonable amount of food too. having seen just how far Market Street was from the cafe there was a map on the menu), we decide to try and park the car a bit closer to town to avoid taking Matthew through any unnecessary crowds, and to save our legs. We drove around looking Disabled parking, finding nothing free. We would park, get out, only to find the was some restriction... We saw a space on the corner of Market Street and Corporation Street. We parked only to find out it was limited to 30 Minutes. We must have parked and got in and out of the car 3 or 4 times...

We eventually ended up crowbarring the car onto the car park adjacent to Bonny Street at around 15:00. Knowing that the Line 6 came past the end of here, we thought that this was near perfect. Next thing was to make sure Matthew had been to the facilities, and then I realised we had forgotten the RADAR key! Never mind, it wasn't a problem here because the toilets were individual unisex toilets. OK, now it was actually time to catch a bus...

The plan was to catch a Line 6 up to Mereside. The first thing we needed to do was to walk far enough up Central Drive to the point where the one way system ends so we could catch the bus. As we were walking up we spotted a '6' coming the other way and Matthew was able to take a picture.


First Delta of the day photograped 112, at the corner of Central Drive and Chapel Street heading towards Grange Park (Matt)

We crossed the road and headed for the bus stop which I assumed the '6' would stop at. According to the information, this stop was for lines 5 & 7...Damn! I thought even though the route map doesn't show it, the '6' must take a different route in the other direction. Hmm, I made a decision to take the street we past before and head inland hoping to find the south bound '6'. We headed along this street that was dead straight about 1/4 mile long and had B&B's along both sides. there were traffic light at the end so we thought that this must be a main route and this was probably where the '6' went along. Reaching the traffic lights we turned right as we could see a bus stop, and there were people waiting. When we got closer we saw the the bus stop was Line 3...Drat again! At least the bus was to Mereside... We got talking to the people at the stop and they were adamant a bus was due off town at 15:17 and would be there 5 Minutes after that. Sure enough Solo 260 appeared and we did this to Mereside.


260 on it's way to Tesco, Mereside (Matt)

As we approached we could see a '6' on stand. A quick check of the time and we saw that it was due off any minute.


First Delta of the day at Tesco Mereside, 109 on the 15:40 to Grange Park (Matt)

We got on the bus, Delta 109 an went straight to the back like the cool kids (lol). Now travelling in comfort, I tried to work out the next move. I worked out we could go to town and have 3 minutes to walk between stops. and catch the bus back towards Mereside. in the meantime we passed 2 of the other 4 buses out on Line 6. First bus passed around the Asda area was 106, followed by 112 at the junction of Grasmere and Central. As we approached Corporation Street, another '6' was on stand in Market Street. between the 2 stops Matthew decided he want to stop and say hello to someone, and as the girl in question was listening to music on a MP3 player, it scared her to death and she ran off...By the time we got to market Street the bus had gone...Drat again! We decided to wait for the bus in the same direction. Matthew was a little bit cranky at this point so we needed to distract him. We decided to wait on the corner of the Street allowing him the chance to take pictures for a while until the next Mereside '6' appeared.


Delta 106 on the 16:00 Mereside - Grange Park (Matt)

Of note during this time was one of the other 6's 106, and double decker 370. Seconds after 106 went past 107, arrived on the Mereside.


Delta 107 on the 16:06 Grange Park - Mereside (Matt)

On the bus, we worked out a move to get the bus we missed. We decided to get off a couple of stop past Spen Corner on Hawes Side Lane. My brother noted the appropriately named 'Box Brothers funeral Directors' as we got off the bus.


Delta 107 pulls away into the distance as it heads towards Mereside along Hawes Side Lane (Mark)

We crossed the road and waited for the bus back. Whilst waiting a character appears and starts looking at the timetable on the stop, which has already been changed ready for the 26th. I told him 'there's no point looking as they are tomorrows timetables, and the 6 isn't on there because it's finishing'. We get into a discussion about how all the buses will be black and yellow eventually. 'Black and yellow! they might as well paint them green and cream again...' i'm sure there are plenty of people who would agree with him.

A short wait and the bus that we had missed appears, Delta 104...Yay! A move works out...


What turned out to be our last Delta of the day, 104 on the 16:40 Mereside - Grange Park (Matt)

On the bus, we worked out a final move so we could get 1 more '6' before we left. Mrs T had already had enough of shopping and was sitting back in the car waiting. It was worked out if we went a couple of stops out of Blackpool towards Grange Park, but before Layton Square, we could catch a bus to the stop opposite Poundland and walk to the car park. I advised Mrs T of the plan and she said she would walk to the stop to meet us to make sure Matthew was OK. Whilst on stand in Corporation Street we noted Metrorider 515 on a Line 15. The bus went out of town and past the railway station, We got of a couple of stops later just before a big junction.


Bye bye...Delta 104 pulls off into the distance on Talbot Road (Mark)


Following us from Corporation Street to Talbot Road, Metrorider 515 on line 15 (Mark)

When we got off we assumed we were somewhere between the town and Layton square, possibly on Caunce Street. However the road was very busy and quite a few different buses came past which seemed to dismiss that theory as being correct. There must have been a Northbound diversion and we got off somewhere on the diversion (it turned out we were on Talbot Road by the site of the Devonshire Road hospital)... After about 20 minutes waiting and no sign of a Southbond '6' we decided to catch the next bus into town and give up. I had phoned the Mrs to let her know of the plan, and she said that she had already seen 2 6's come and go. So we had a choice of 2 buses approaching a 14 or an 11. Matthew of course chose the older bus which turned out to be 377.


Last bus of the day, 377 on a 11 to Lytham Square (Matt)

The bus set down in market Street, but we decided to stay on another stop to avoid taking Matthew through the busy streets. Next stop was in front of the tower which was probably even busier. A short walk along the front and we were in a quiet side street adjacent to the stop for the '6' where a slightly irate mum had been waiting for 25 minutes. Everyone else went back to the car via the toilets and I went to the take away / restaurant on the townside corner of Coral Island for 2 portions of chips to share before we set off home. We left around 18:00 as we left town we passed 104 on Yeadon way, having finished it's duties for the day. Considering how chaotic everything was, I think it was a fairly successful trip. All 5 buses were photographed by Matthew and we managed to ride on 3.

(Mark)