Trip to Altrincham / Timperley 04-01-2025

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4708	Altricham Interchange	Timperley Village	286	Arriva NW&W
4708	Timperley Village	Altricham Interchange	285	Arriva NW&W
3131	Altricham Interchange	Sale, Court	19	Arriva NW&W
3102	Sale,	Urmston, Stop E	245	Arriva NW&W
3126	Urmston, Stop G	Sale, Court	18	Arriva NW&W
3097	Sale,	Altricham Interchange	263	Arriva NW&W
4703	Altricham Interchange	Altrincham, Sainsbury's	284	Arriva NW&W

Today we decided to re-visit Altrincham. Matthew had brought it to my attention that it was the last day of Arriva NW&W operating in Gretarer Manchester, as from the 5th January Metroline were taking over the services that Arriva NW run and there depot. REserach for the trip consisted of looking where to park and where to eat, as well as checking the weather. The weather was forcast for cold and dull weather with a chance of Snow later on. Matthew woke up at 08:00 and had his medication. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Mum arrived home from work just after 11:00 and we set off to pick up uncle Dave just before 12:00. We set off through Blurton 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. We turned left onto Church Street and we joined the one-way system around Stoke. We turned left onto London Road and we stopped at Sainbury's to fill up with petrol. Afterwards we set off onto London Road and we ran forwards onto Campbell Place. We turned left onto Church Street and we turned right onto Shelton Old Road. We re-joined the Northbound A500 and we headed Northwards through Etruria and Longport. We continued through Talke to Barthomley and we joied the Northboud M6. As we travelled up the M6 we saw. We came off the M6 at junction 19 and we joined the Northbound A556. After a few miles we ran forwards onto the A56. We ran into Altrincham and we turned right onto St Margarets Road. We turned left onto Woodville Street and we veered left onto The Downs. We ran forwards onto Lloyd Street and we turned right into Sainsbury's. After we parked up we walked onto Oxford Road and we went to the Oxford Road Cafe. Matthew went to the toilet and we waited to be seated. Matthew had a bacon and sausage barm washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and she went to the shop and we headed up to Ashley Road. We considered catch a bus into town, but we end up walking along Ashley Road and forwards onto Railway Street. We walked to the Interchange and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4708 on a #286 to Timperley.

Arriva NW&W 4708 in Altrincham Interchange

We got on the bus and we booked Any Bus day tickets at £5 each. The bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva NW&W 4708 before we sat down towards the back of the bus.

Inside Arriva NW&W 4708

We set off out of the Interchange and we turned right onto Stamford New Road. We ran forwards onto Barrington Road and we turned right onto Gaskell Road and we saw Arriva NW&W 4704 on a #285 to Altrincham. We turned right onto Ellesmere Road and we turned left into Grosvenor Road. We turned right onto Wellington Road and we turned left into Brook Lane and we ran forwards onto Brookway and we ran forwards onto Moss Lane. We turned left onto the B5165 and we turned right onto Riddings Road and we saw West Wythenshawe Boxing Club KO52 JAB. We turned right onto Woodhouse Lane East and we ran forwards onto Heyes Lane and we turned left into Langham Grove. We turned right onto Grange Aveue and we turned right onto Grange Road. We turned left onto the B5165 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4708 as it continued towards Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 4708 in Timperley

Once off the bus we headed into the nearby pub. After going to the toilet Matthew had a glass of Coke. When we had finished we weant outside and we met up with uncle Dave. We visited the Frank Sidebottom statue and we went to Sainsbury's. We bought a bottle of Coke and some Angel Slices. We walked back around the corner and we waited for a bus towards Altrincham. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 4708 on the #285 to Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 4708 in Timperley

We got on the bus and we placed the Any Bus tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Park Road. We turned right onto Grange Road. We turned left onto Grange Avenue and left onto Langham Grove. We turned right onto Heyes Lane we continued onto Woodhouse Lane East. We turned left onto Riddings Road. We turned left onto Park Road and right onto Moss Lane. We continued onto Brookway and forwards onto Brook Lane. We ran forwards onto Brookland Parkway and we turned right onto Wellington Road. We crossed over the tram and railway line At Navigation Road and we turned left onto Grosvenor Road. We turned right onto Ellesmere Road and left onto Gaskell Road. We turned left onto the B5164 and we crossed over the A560 and we ran into the Interchange. We got off the bus and we spotted another bus at the other end of the Interchange. We got closer and we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3131 on a #19 to Wythenshawe.

Arriva NW&W 3131 in Altrincham Interchange

We gpt on the bus and we placed the Any Bus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set of out of the Interchange and we turned right onto the A538. We crossed the A560 onto Barrington Road and we turned right onto the A56. We ran through Broadheath and West Timperley. We turned left onto Woodhouse Lane and right onto Manor Avenue. We turned left onto Cherry Lane and we turned right onto Firsway. We turned left onto Manor Avenue and we turned right onto the A6144 and we headed into Ashton Upon Mersey. We veered left and we followed the B5166. We headed into Sale and as we reached the A56 we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus e crossed over the B5166 and we headed to a Northbound stop on the A56. We waited for a Northbound Arriva service. Whilst we waited we saw Warrington's Own Buses 1020 on a #5 to THe Trafford Centre.

Warrington's Own Buses 1020 in Sale

Whilst we waited Matthew a couple of Angel Slices. A few minutes later we saw an Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3102 on a #245 to The Trafford Centre.

Arriva NW&W 3102 in Sale

We got on the bus and we placed the any bus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off Northwards through Sale and we went under the M60. We continued to Stretford and we turned left onto the A5145. We ran forwards onto the B5213 and we ran into Urmston. We turned right onto The B5214 and we crossed over the railway line. We decided to get up and get off the bus here. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3102 as it continued towards The Trafford Centre.

Arriva NW&W 3102 in Urmston

We decided to have a short break off the buses so we we headed towards the entrance of Sainsbury's. On the way we saw Stagecoach Manchester 12042 on a #15 to Piccadilly Gardens.

Stagecoach Manchester 12042 in Urmston

We walked along the passageway in between Poundland and Sainsbury's and we went into the shop. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we grabbed a couple of chocolate bars and queued up for quite a while to pay for them. Afterwards we headed back to the B5214 and we crossed over the road. We just missed the #245 to Altrincham so we had to think of an alternative to head back towards Sale ad Altrincham. A few minutes later we saw another Arriva bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3126 on a #18 to Wythenshawe.

Arriva NW&W 3126 in Urmston

We got on the bus and we placed the Any Bus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards down the B5214 and we crossed over the railway line. We turned right onto the B5213 and we headed Westwards out of town. We turned left onto the B5158 and we crossed over the Mersey. We turned left onto the A6144 and we turned right onto Manor Avenue. We turned left onto Firs Road and we ran forwards onto the B5166. We ran through Ashton Upon Mersey and we ran towards Sale. We we reached the A56 we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew got another picture of Arriva NW&W 3126 as it continued towards Manchester Airport.

Arriva NW&W 3126 in Sale

We crossed over the A56 and we headed into the pub. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we had a glass of Coke. After we finished our drinks we went outside and we crossed over School Road. We saw Arriva N&W 3102 on a #245 to Altrincham and we turned it down as we had already been on it earlier. Whilst we waited for the next bus Matthew had his Twirl that we bought from Sainsbury's in Urmston. A few minutes later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Arriva NW&W 3097 on a #263 to Altrincham.

Arriva NW&W 3097 in Sale

We got on the bus and we placed the Any Bus day tickets under the scanner before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off Southwards out of Sale along the A56. We travelled through West Timperley and Broadheath. at the Northern edge of Altrincham we turned left onto Barrington Road and we crossed over the A560. We ran forwards onto the A560 and we entered the Interchange. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 3097 as it parked up on layover.

Arriva NW&W 3097 in Altrincham Interchange

Also seen was Stagecoach Manchester 12189 which was on layover in between runs on the #11 to Stockport. We headed into the Interchange and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we decided to catch abus towards Sainsburys. We knew we could catch eiter a #283 or a #284 as these went either side of the supermarket where mum had returned to. We came back from the toilet and we saw Arriva NW&W 4703 getting ready to work a 284 Hale circular.

Arriva NW&W 4703 in Altrincham Interchange

We got on the bus and we placed the Any Bus tickets under the scanner for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the Interchange and we turned left onto the A538. After a few hundred yards we turned left onto Lloyd Street. We got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva NW&W 4703 as it continued towards Hale.

Arriva NW&W 4703 in Altrincham

Once off the bus we crossed over the road and we headed into Sainsbury's car park and we met up with mum. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We set off out of the car park and we turned left onto Lloyd Street Lane. We turned left onto Ashley Road and left onto Hale Road. We stopped and I went to get some food from the chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy. When I had finished eating We set off down Hale Road. We turned right onto Brown Street. We turned right onto Ashley Road and left onto Marlborough Road. We got a bit lost following only the voice instruction of the sat nav but we eventually got to where we needed to be. We ran along Langham Road and forwards onto Park Road. We turned left onto the Southbound A56 and after a couple of miles we ran forwards onto the A556. We joined the Southbound M6 and as we headed South in the dark At junction 16 we joind the A500 and we saw ABC Supreme YB73 VZT and an unidentified Paul's of Stoke coach. We ran through Etruria and Stoke and we came off the A500 onto Whelldon Road. We stopped at uncle Daves. Matthew used the toilet and we put today's trip on uncle Dave's calendar. We got back in the car and we set off back to Blurton. 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 the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 19:30. Matthew chilled out on his computer. Matthew had his medication and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. Matthew had a red velvet cake and a can of Cherry Coke. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Altrincham / South Manchester 25-02-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
17624	Altrincham TI	Northenden, Britannia Hotel/Stop E	370	Stagecoach Manchester
19405	Northenden, Palatine Rd/Northenden Health Ctr (Stop F)	Altrincham TI	41	Stagecoach Manchester
P420 MEH	Altrincham TI	Lymm, opp Lymm Cross	38	Warrington Coachways
46	Lymm, o/s Lymm Cross	Altrincham TI	5	Network Warrington
2242	Altrincham TI	Sale, Cross Street/Dane Road (N-bound)	263	Arriva NW&W

Last week whilst we had been covering the #130 Macclesfield - Manchester service, Matthew had expressed a wish to go on to Manchester. With the centre of Manchester being very busy we decided to go to Altrincham so we could cover the buses Matthew is interested in. Research consisted of downloading all the Manchester area Arriva Timetables, and asking on the Dennis Dart Forum which service were most likely to be Dennis Darts. We set off just after 12:00 and it was a fine sunny day and quite mild for the time of year. We pulled up in Victoria Street in Atrincham and stopped for a snack. After we had eaten mum headed off to the Trafford Centre where we were going to meet up with mum later. We walked down to the transport interchange and Matthew used the facilities before we stood next to the interchange to decide what bus to do next. A Stagecoach Manchester AlX400 pulled in on a service #370 and surprisingly Matthew decided he wanted to do this. Matthew had never done a Stagecoach bus before and therefore it was required. Before we boarded, Matthew got a picture.

Stagecoach Manchester 17624 in Altrincham

On the bus Matthew went onto the top deck and took a picture of the empty upstairs.

Inside 17624

As we didn't know what route the #370 took I had to download the timetable and have a look where we were going. As we Headed Eastwards we passed through Timperley village, There is a stenciled picture of Frank Sidebottom on a shop as you enter the village on your right hand side. We worked out the buses past just East of Northenden so we decided to get off at the Britannia Hotel stop. We got off and Matthew was able to get another picture of this bus.

17624 outside the Britannia Hotel, Northenden

We crossed the road and waited for the return service. We crossed the road and waited for the return bus. An empty bus pulled up just before another bus appeared and there was a driver change. It was on a #41 to Altrincham via Sale. We decided to do this service and as it was only our second stagecoach bus this was also required. We got on and sat at the front of the upper saloon. As we arrived in the bus station Matthew got a picture of the top deck of this bus too.

Inside Stagecoach Manchester 19405

As we were getting off Matthew spotted a Plaxton bodied Mercedes minibus in the distance. I think Matthew realised what it was straight away as he was pointing to it as we got off the Stagecoach double decker As we got closer it became apparent to me it was an Ex First PMT/Potteries minibus (50077) now running for another operator and it was required. I knew Matthew would want to ride on this so I asked the driver where the bus was going and how far could we do it on our system one tickets. We sorted out the tickets and we got on. The bus still had First Purple and green seating and pink doors. With the aid of a gentleman on the bus we got off at Lymm to wait for a return bus and Matthew got a picture.

Warrington Coachways P420 MEH in Lymm

I checked the timetable on the stop and as we had about 20 minutes to wait we visited the Sainbury's local shop for snacks and lottery tickets. We then waited for the bus sitting on a big rock in the town centre. The return Network Warrington bus was a few minutes late and when it turned up it was required 46. Matthew got a picture before we boarded.

Network Warrington 46 in Lymm

Whilst we traveled back, worked out that if we were going to meet mum that we had to be on either the 16:15 #247 or te 16:25 #18 service. I wasn't sure if we would make the 16:15 with us being a bit late so i was relieved when we arrived in Atrincham around 16:12. Matthew got a picture of network Warrington 46 as we got off the bus.

Network Warrington 46 in Altrincham

Matthew used the facilities as we proceeded to wait for the 16:15. The bus appeared to be a little late so we were able to take a few pictures whilst we waited. one such picture was 19479 returning from when we had it earlier in the day.

Stagecoach Manchester 19479 between duties

A little concerned I asked a passenger at stand A if he was waiting for the #247, to which he replied 'yes'. Then an announcement came over the tannoy say that the 15:45 departure 247 for Eccles hadn't arrived and neither had the 16:15. The announcement said that there had been 'an incident a Davyhulme and a bus was being dispatched from the depot to work the next service in 5-10 minutes time'. With the information at hand and the fact that Arriva Dennis Dart 2242 had just come in on a #263 we decided to abandon our original plan and do the #263 just of sale to meet a different service to the Trafford Centre. The was no driver in 2242 so whilst we waited Matthew got a picture.

Arriva NW&W 2242 in Altrincham

The driver appeared and we jumped on the bus. After a swift journey up the A56 and North through Sale, we got of the bus on Cross Street. Matthew got a picture as we got off this bus.

2242 just North of Sale

We then met up with mum as arranged. We head anticlockwise around he M60and then got on to the westbound M56. Traveling Via the A556,M6 and A500 we arrived home at a little after 18:20...Mark