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Messages - paulb1973

#1
National Express West Midlands / Re: Vehicle Transfers
September 07, 2024, 02:08:42 PM
Quote from: Westy on September 07, 2024, 09:12:05 AMCoventry area 67xx Fleetlines at Walsall as well.

Remember the BBC Cwr ad on the back of one!
Did one or two of these finish at Wolverhampton?
#2
National Express West Midlands / Re: Vehicle Transfers
August 19, 2024, 03:27:00 PM
Quote from: cris 99 on August 18, 2024, 11:49:13 AM4851 seems to have transferred unnoticed on the 14 this morning.
To clarify - that is 4851 PB-BC ?
#3
Quote from: Sandy Lane on July 31, 2024, 10:19:06 PMIt's kind of exciting seeing this large Coventry route extension on the 13.

I would be interested to understand who decides on the new route to use to get to the Segro warehouses and why?

From my thinking this could have been a great opportunity to turn left at the end of St James Lane and go via Toll Bar End, Rowley Rd and Baginton village. Not saying I'm right but keen to learn.
 
In my plan the places served frequently would have been the Airport Shopping Park (awful service today), Rowley Rd Ind. Est, Aircraft Museum, Battery Industrialisation Centre, Baginton village. Would appeal to lots of passengers, possibly more than going via the Jaguar Plant? Could this also be a quicker journey?

Thoughts, facts and guidance welcome.



Funnily enough I was going to post more-or-less the same thing - I had thought they missed a trick avoiding Toll Bar End (where the service has been a bit patchy in recent years) the shops and the Royal Mail office which is further up that long access road. And, as you say, connect that with the new Industrial areas at the outer end and the city-centre at the other end.

The southern end of St James' Lane and the section of London Rd from that road to the Whitley roundabout is already well served.

I suppose the thought - is to give the JLR area a more regular service (but there's still quite a gap in service between 10am and 1pm).
#4
Quote from: Stu on July 28, 2024, 01:18:22 PMThe route map is now shown on BusTimes:
https://bustimes.org/services/13-coventry-willenhall#map

Looking at the timetable from the TfWM website, short journeys to Willenhall will terminate at and start from the St Bernards Walk stop.

The journeys towards Segro will continue from St Bernards Walk back onto St James Lane, omitting the Lorenzo Close stop as well as the primary school (which it will have already served).
Yes, thanks for that link, all 13 journeys will make the normal loop around St James' Lane, Robin Hood Rd, Remembrance Rd then. Omitting those two stops on Segro Park services will obviously make things simpler.

I think it was JPC that hinted some City Centre to Segro Park passengers could simply get a 21 to Asda, then 'double back' by catching a 13 across the road towards JLR/Segro Park. If that does happen - then they might as well have just run a shorter '21' to that destination via Cheylesmore and the JLR site.
#5
Quote from: Stu on July 28, 2024, 01:18:22 PMThe route map is now shown on BusTimes:
https://bustimes.org/services/13-coventry-willenhall#map

Looking at the timetable from the TfWM website, short journeys to Willenhall will terminate at and start from the St Bernards Walk stop.

The journeys towards Segro will continue from St Bernards Walk back onto St James Lane, omitting the Lorenzo Close stop as well as the primary school (which it will have already served).
Quote from: Sandy Lane on July 28, 2024, 02:46:14 PMI have been along some of the 13 route today.

Had a look at the bus stop kerbing you mention on Scimitar Way near the Jag. plant. I don't think they are compliant on both sides as there is a mix of kerb types over the bus stop section. I reckon it will need upgrading before it can be used?

Also to note the TfWM flag at the current official Jag. bus shelter is now missing. Perhaps a sign that the stop will be moving as suggested?
In message #54 there is a link to the route - which appears to show a little diversion off Scimitar Way not far from the A444 area. Which I assume to be the entrance to JLR/current bus stop for the 60 and X18 (named Leaf Lane on Google Maps) suggesting that will be served by the 13. And that does show a 'Silver Eagle Way' rather than an Orchard Way.

Leaf Lane seems to occupy areas either side of the A444 in and outbound carriageway!


#6
Quote from: JPC on July 26, 2024, 05:06:56 PMThere is bus stop kerbing in each direction on Scimitar Way close to the Jaguar roundabout which I hope will be commissioned for the 13 service (instead of a merry-go-round of both directions calling to the same existing Jaguar stop). Also more kerbing in both directions just north of the Rowley Road roundabout which would be convenient for the Air Museum, Battery Centre and a short walk to Rowley Drive but we may see reluctance in installing stop posts here with it being outside the TFWM area.
I expect we will see some passengers interchanging at London Road (Asda) to make their journey between Segro and the City Centre shorter.
On a similar theme. There are, I assume, going to be a number of bus stops in Willenhall - where service 13 stops - but heading to different destinations.

I'm presuming the 13 when heading to the Segro Business Park, will travel along Willenhall Lane, St James' Lane, Robin Hood Road (drop-off/pick-up at the Precinct) and travel up Remembrance Road and back along St James' Lane [that its already covered minutes earlier] then continue further along St James' Lane towards London Road?

Shorter 13 journeys to Willenhall have to loop around Robin Hood Rd as there is nowhere to turnaround. But the longer ones could simply turn right from St James' Lane into Remembrance Road (pause at the Haggard Centre) go along Robin Hood Rd, then turn right into St James' Lane (and the exact reverse when heading inbound). But that would make things confusing from a bus stop point-of-view! Add in the 21, 60 etc - you'll need to have your wits about you in Willenhall.
 
#7
Quote from: JPC on July 25, 2024, 05:55:02 PMNew timetable for the 13 and 13A is now on traveline, and the route taken for the extension isn't what we were expecting...
From Willenhall it follows the 21 route to London Road (Asda) then into Whitley Jaguar and along Scimitar Way and Orchard Way* to Segro Park.
(*Orchard Way is renamed Silver Eagle Way now?). The 13A doesn't extend to Segro.
I have driven that way to get to Baginton (the Old Mill pub) from the London Rd area, quite straight-forward and you go across that rather large bridge across the A45. It gives the JLR area quite a frequent service seemingly. On London Road itself, the 'inbound 21' side will also be the 'outbound 13 side' and the opposite on the other side of the road - they'll be plenty of buses between Willenhall and that Asda store (if there wasn't enough already).

Slight edit: I see not all journeys go to Segro Park, with quite a few still terminating at Willenhall (and there's quite a gap during the daytime). But the business park will be covered 7 days a week.
#8
The 27 (in the early days) the shorter Toll Bar End journeys simply went around the roundabout and parked up alongside a shelter inbound very close to the roundabout. I guess cars managed to squeeze past (it's hard to imagine that now). And in later years, certainly during the '1' years - it used an outbound lay-by opposite the aforementioned stop and then returned to town using the roundabout.

The 47 (21A) used the first roundabout at the end of Siskin Drive, but in later years made use of Siskin Parkway. The 57 used the junction of Rowley Drive and Sibree Rd (a quiet industrial estate area).

I assume the 37 used the large roundabout close to the main entrance of Peugeot/Talbot (etc).
#9
Quote from: Justin Tyme on July 23, 2024, 10:54:02 PMYou are correct.  Time to put the anorak on!  The use of numbers 37 and 47 started on 19 March 1978, and the 57 started on 3 June 1979.
Interesting - don't think I've come across those specific dates before (I'd better remember this thread!). All those services were swept away in the changes made on 21/4/85 and the Works services simply became '21A' (on off-shoot of the newly created 21 Wood End - Willenhall combination). I can't quite remember if all three works terminus points continued to be served though, I'd say that the Stonebridge Industrial Park (Sibree Rd/Rowley Drive) was discontinued. So the 21A has been a constant for 39 years?

I can recall walking up Siskin Drive for various events in the early 1980s (probably big RAFA Airshows and the Pope visit in 1982) on long hot summer days, and seeing buses and a bus stop up there - it seemed such an unlikely outpost for a bus to visit!

After those changes I can recall a service 26 City, Pool Meadow - Toll Bar End which must have been a direct replacement for the 27. But, which was replaced by tacking Toll Bar End (via London Rd) onto service 1 at deregulation in October 1986.

This area might find itself with a slightly more frequent bus service in the near future.


#10
Quote from: Justin Tyme on July 23, 2024, 09:02:12 PMFor the record, "Ryton Works" was indeed the Rootes Works.  Buses on the 13 (transferred to the 27, when that started in 1967) used to terminate at the A423 island with what is now, appropriately, Hillman Way.

I travelled on a 27 to and from there one lunchtime many years ago.  As I recall the destination on the blind was simply "Ryton".

The 13 (later 27) had another variant beyond Toll Bar End, serving factories on Siskin Drive, which Coventry Transport called "Works Baginton".

The PTE some time after the take-over, must have re-organised these services into the: 27 (City - Toll Bar End), 37 (Ryton Works), 47 (Baginton Trading Estate) and possibly a bit later, 57 (Stonebridge Industrial Estate).

My little pocket Fare Table guide (Coventry District) dated 30th Nov 1975, only shows the 27 as City, Pool Meadow - Toll Bar End/Ryton (Chrysler Works)/Works Baginton [as you state]. So it was certainly after that time.
#11
That begs the question why not just run an off-shoot service of the 21 (as a notional '21B' or even just as now, 21A). I suppose, as JPC mentions above in message 2252, that would presumably miss out running through Willenhall/Binley etc, where it is likely many workers at this site, live (and increase costs of running a service like that).

If you are going to massively lengthen a service to reach Segro Park, presumably they must have looked at extending the 17/17A alongside Fenside Ave to Leaf Lane to the Festival roundabout and then Scimitar Way/Firefly Rd/Orchard Way/Bubbenhall Rd. Or even extending the 9 from the Finham area through Mill Hill/Coventry Rd into Baginton. That would have created complications on service provision - drivers, vehicles etc.

There is, as also mentioned, two obvious ways from Willenhall; St James' Lane, London Rd, Toll Bar End, Rowley Rd, then Orchard Way. The alternative being (after Toll Bar End) Siskin Drive, Siskin Parkway, but is there a connection from there via that White Rose Way to this site? It looks like the Toll Bar End roundabout won't be avoided whatever happens.

There was, until the very late 1960s (or early 70s) a service 13 that went to the Ryton Works (Rootes Group as was I assume) unless that was the aviation company works on Siskin Drive (?). Whatever it was, a service '13' went that way.


#12
Quote from: 2206 on July 21, 2024, 11:22:23 PMAn extension of the 13/13A from 1st September.
Coventry to Segro Park via Willenhall.
https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/625837/
Segro Park appears to be close to Coventry Airport (the other side of the runway from a Rowley Rd perspective) - that's quite a long extension from Willenhall for the 13 ! (I assume this will be some peak time journeys).
#13
Garage threads / Re: Acocks Green Garage
July 04, 2024, 02:09:58 PM
Quote from: Celestial Toymaker on July 03, 2024, 10:40:35 PMdue to health issues i have allowed it to lapse anyway, so where do i obtain a new written permission please ?
i do not use a tripod, my camera is usually in my hand or my pocket (when not in use) where i stand is irrelevant but im in now an obstruction or nuisance i prefer to be behind a notice board or some such so i have something to lean against, at DY i was always between the barrier and notice board by the Travel Office, visible only to vehicles in the bus station - at Coventry even in the street i have had Staff come out and try to confiscate my Camera, at Digbeth they claim ownership of the Pavement the Road, Coach Station and anywhere a  vehicle can be photographed from. West Brom claim everything on the same side of the road as the bus station inc, road.
AG however, when buses are waiting outside top be called in and fuelled ive been invited inside as far as the end of the old fuelling are, several fitters know me and have often invited me inside (i know they shouldnt but an invitation is an invitation) not been inside AG since the last Metrobus left. 
I've been taking pictures with my trusty Nikon DSLR camera for years at Pool Meadow - never ever had a problem. I normally position myself on that path on the far side alongside the Ring Road. I've never had the need to carry any 'permit' and I've never seen anyone else carrying one of these either.

You say you were challenged at Coventry - was this a Security Guard, Manager, cleaner? Did you ask for identification? I'm normally tactful and try to 'blend in' - discretion is the word.
#14
Quote from: Wumpty on April 18, 2024, 06:01:53 PMChuffin Nora, you're right! Strange how this wasn't ever picked up on any of the TV coverage - on the YT link I posted, there was a section (I believe passing Walsgrave Hospital), where 125 got up a turn of speed where there were very few spectators, yet 4069 is still nowhere to be seen!

Great spot @paulb1973 !!!
I was being a little cheeky - I was one of the many standing around (in Broadgate, with my brother, sister, mum & dad) waiting for this open-top bus to come! I think it was expected to reach Broadgate in an 'hour' or so once we had arrived - but eventually arrived after a wait of around 3 hours. It was a grey and cool day too, I seem to vaguely remember two buses being involved.

But, what about all the bus shelters in Trinity St and Broadgate etc - people had attempted to stand on them to get a better view in the crush, only for the flimsy corrugated flat roofs to collapse! Someone at WMPTE/Centro had to go around and repair them all.
#15
Quote from: Wumpty on April 17, 2024, 09:40:52 PMJust checking some of the Coventry FA Cup procession footage and 125 appears to be on its own for the entirety of the celebrations, not to mention a very overloaded top deck!

https://youtu.be/J-mDPOObFa0?si=09nOuXEvd-a9ZPMo
Check out this link:
May 16th 1987. Coventry City's Cup Final, and the Victory Parade - Our Warwickshire 

I think I can spy another bus in at least one of those pictures - probably 4069 which carried the CCFC Youth team.
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