FILMED BUSES AT OLDHAM AND ROCHDALE HOT SUNNY

Still working my way through destinations not too far from home and today it was Oldham and Rochdale.  Since last years Corona visit to Oldham they have invested in a huge stock of plastic barrier lumps strewn around the approach road to the bus station and even created one lane of the road as a pedestrian walk way, any pedestrians there are and there are not many studiously avoids this barmy army structure and like any sane citizen walk straight down in the middle of the road are cross at a slightly oblique angle giving the bus driver something to aim at. The buses then have to all make a tortuous turn where the Stagecoach buses turn only there is just room for one bus at a time to stop so add all the remaining services and it is another triumph in wasting time and money for no advantage.

The drivers as always a very friendly, Stotts have a much more modern fleet now even if too much white. The few Go North West buses there were all in fleet livery which suggested that the strike is over , wrong even though I saw only fleet liveried buses on my way to Rochdale it was then contracted buses with just two Blackpool buses giving any idea of a cohesive service. The strikers are keeping a log of non compliance of contracted non union companies and their buses. Of course the enthusiast in us all rather likes this state of anarchy, when the kids holiday for Easter will the school buses come back on route service like the first week of the strike.

Rochdale was much warmer and the sun held fast as the temperature topped 20 for most of the afternoon. The car park at the shopping centre accepted only cash, how weird as most in the whole country take tap and pay cards, shame they don't tell you this when you park. The shopping centre has lots of arrows and instructions which needless to say nobody ( probably wisely) takes any notice of them. The area of the old bus station is now Marks & Spencers new store, the rest of the shops will probably have gone bust before they are due to reopen. Primark will be the top young fashion outlet and M&S for us oldies, probably best skip and get tram to Trafford Centre.

Anyway here are some Oldham piccies from this morning.