Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 17th January, 2018)

Interesting photo Mick. I believe that this used to be a swamp many years ago, hope the got on a firm footing.

I hope Carillion are not involved in building the new bus station.

Roll on -fed up of walking half way round Wigan to catch a bus home when not catching the train!

Carillon Building starring Sid James et al.

I agree with Veronica...I'll be glad when it's finished.

The new one in Bolton connecting between trains and buses. Maybe a tunnel for the Wigan stations ;-)

Anne,
There are probably tunnels already, but they will be full of coal.

Anne the Bolton bus station is next to the train station so it was easily done.

It don't bother me, I drive!

Yes I know about the new Bolton one, used it for a coach connection. It wasn't always there it was quite some way off In Moor lane, coach connections for Southampton will be much easier now.

Ive sometimes dropped cruising friends of at the old bus station and on the way there we have noticed the Eavesway coach parked in a layby in Cheqerbent so they asked the driver can we get on here so they did.

Bolton Bus Station might be more convenient for the trains - its still inconvenient for the shops in the centre.
Trains to Wigan from Westhoughton are just a 9 minute journey who would want to travel by car and take 3 times longer and then pay for car parking?

Trains and buses don't bother me.
You still have to walk there. I take my car from my drive and go everywhere. Very convenient, I mean who wants to wait in the cold and rain.

I've always gone by train to Bolton centre shops. By car to Bolton gate precinct. When my husband was alive, by car in the evening, parking behind Gregory & Porritts, no charge. Is that car park still there?
Veronica...off the train, through the new bus station and there are the shops.

Hope it’s not draughty. Alan it’s not convenient if you are stuck in traffic jam.

Veronica, there's a free bus from Bolton Bus Station that will take you around the town.

Alan, try getting too and from work during the peak hours in Wigan and then tell us how convenient it is by car.

Agreed, Alan, in the Winter, but we love travelling by 'bus in better weather. Peter is not the most patient driver and I am always on edge, so it's nice to sit back and let the 'bus-driver cope with the journey. When we are at our caravan in Summer, we walk to the local village and can get a 'bus to Skipton in one direction and Settle and Kirkby Lonsdale in the other. From Skipton we catch another 'bus to Ilkley, Otley, Keighley or Grassington, (they are very regular), and can get on and off at pretty villages in-between and have a drink at a pub with no worries about driving....and it's free. We have both worked all our lives and this freedom is what we have worked for. We go up to the caravan in our old Hillman Minx, (Dorothy), but once there the old girl, (no, NOT ME, Alan!), has a rest and we go everywhere by 'bus. I do agree with you about standing at 'bus-stops on days like today, though....my 'bus-stop in Abram is like Siberia! x.

I very rarely go to Bolton! I used to go a couple of times a week at one time but have 'gone off' the place now. I went just before Christmas and it will be months before I go again. I go up to the Rebok and Wigan and shop in Westhoughton. Luckily I am near the railway station which is handy and have no need of a car now- when Summer comes I'll further my horizons.

Veronica, Peter and I went to Bolton before Christmas and I was disappointed, I must admit, although, to be honest, Newport Street was being "done up" and couldn't be expected to look its best. Trouble was, we went on a Wednesday and the Market was shut! We can now go directly from Platt Bridge, five minutes' walk away, but I DO like the 'bus from Wigan that goes through Blackrod...a very pleasant ride. However, we won't go often and definitely not on a Wednesday! You must come to Wigan on a Tuesday sometime, Veronica, and go on to Chorley....it is a pleasant journey, regular 'buses and a good market. The temporary 'bus-stop is where Morrison's front entrance was, until the new 'bus-station is ready, and I think the 'bus is the 362. x.

Due to the lack of government funding, I'm not entirely certain that they still maintain a direct service to Tittybong from Daisy Hill these days Veronica, you may have to be prepared to change at Adlestrop.

"Yes, I remember Adlestrop....", oh, Ozy, I LOVE that poem! It conjures up so many feelings of a sunny, deserted country station. I haven't heard it in years! x.

For me it is an utterly waste of Wigan rate payers money ,i only use the bus occasionally but i felt there was nothing untoward with the other bus station again all i can add is my personal opinion .

I agree with Alan Wink,there didn't seem to be much wrong with it in the first place.It hadn't been up that long anyway.

I agree with that, but I never felt safe on the rare occasions I have had to use the 'bus-station at night and I believe the new station will be manned. However, it would have been cheaper to employ a security man than build a new 'bus-station!

Yes the 'baby boomers' will all be out in force in the summer months Irene. The buses will
be full again. ( trains too Ozy). We could at one time catch the bus to Chorley from Howfen. The train from Daisy Hill to Derbyshire even, up till a few years ago. I do prefer the train though. The Lake District in 40 mins from Wigan beckons ( cheap rail card). I too am surprised about re-building the bus station - must be a case of keeping up with the Jones's!

Another nice ride out was to Ramsbottom from Bolton Bus Station. I believe that's not available anymore. The bus was only every hour. You can still catch the Clitheroe bus though,we have done that a couple of times and dropped off in Blackburn to catch another bus to Oswaldtwistle or another little village I can't just remember the name of.

Compared with practically every other town in Lancashire Wigan Bus Station was a disgrace. The toilets were a disgusting mess, the Stops were cold, damp and miserable and the surrounding area was run down and depressing. People visiting Wigan for the first time must have thought that they had entered a third world country by mistake.
Whatever replaces what was there before can only be an improvement.

And yet it was only built in the mid eighties- ! Yes those toilets were awful - I agree Dtease - compared to other bus stations it was lacking and Leigh bus station isn't much better either. Perhaps the new one will be warmer and covered over more like Bolton -with doors opening when the bus arrives!

I remember parking near Gregory and Porritts Anne in the past. I don't know whether you can now though. The store is still there under another name, the company moved to Southport amalgamating with another one.

I too drive, Alan. However, I've now found that using the car isn't always the best option. Especially if heading into towns. We actually went on holiday to Newquay on the train and it was the best holiday we've ever had! No traffic jams, no road accidents or speed camera's to worry about. The train trip itself was great and added to the pleasure of the holiday. The snag? Cost! Train fares are too expensive. However, if one plans ahead and books their holiday via a rail company - some bargains to be had. We had a carriage on an Inter City 125 virtually to ourselves. Magic!

Very true Sally . The train is the future . I have just been to Glasgow for £20 return simply by advanced booking.No petrol heads pipping at each other from their stupid little metal boxes on the M6.