2023 on the A11 Barton Mills/Red Lodge

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0953) – Terry’s Coaches of Coventry OXK 76 seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills heading eastbound on the A11. It is a Van Hool TX27 Astromega that had been new to Ferris Holidays, Nantgarw, Cardiff in June 2013 registered WA13 GYO. Terry’s Coaches OXK 76 (WA13 GYO) at Fiveways, Barton Mills - 29 Jul 2023 (

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0953) – Terry’s Coaches of Coventry OXK 76 seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills heading eastbound on the A11. It is a Van Hool TX27 Astromega that had been new to Ferris Holidays, Nantgarw, Cardiff in June 2013 registered WA13 GYO.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0953) – Terry’s Coaches of Coventry OXK 76 seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills heading eastbound on the A11. It is a Van Hool TX27 Astromega that had been new to Ferris Holidays, Nantgarw, Cardiff in June 2013 registered WA13 GYO.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0958) – Greys of Ely G16 ELY, an Irizar i6 integral new in April 2013, seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (1037) – Prospect Coaches of Lye near Stourbridge YT71 GHD seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 0815 Megabus service M37 from Birmingham to Norwich. Having called at Cambridge at 1000 it was due to arrive at UEA (University of East Anglia) at 1130 and Norwich Bus Station at 1145. It is an Irizar i6 new in October 2021.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (1037) – Prospect Coaches of Lye near Stourbridge YT71 GHD seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 0815 Megabus service M37 from Birmingham to Norwich. Having called at Cambridge at 1000 it was due to arrive at UEA (University of East Anglia) at 1130 and Norwich Bus Station at 1145. It is an Irizar i6 new in October 2021. Wheelchair access is provided through a side door close to the front nearside wheel.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (1000) – Three Star Coaches of Luton BJ13 TXV seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working a day excursion to Great Yarmouth. It was about to take a break at the Shell Service Area. It is a Sunsundegui Sideral bodied Volvo B7R that was new in May 2013. This day excursion was advertised to run on 29 July, 12 and 26 August plus 2 September with pick-ups at Luton (Sundon Park garage) at 0730, Luton (Interchange) 0745), Luton (Galaxy Centre) 0750 and Dunstable 0815. The website shows the break at Barton Mills as part of the formal itinerary. (It puzzles me why Dunstable, which is west of Luton, is the final pick-up rather than being the second pick-up).

Saturday 29 July 2023 (1000) – Three Star Coaches of Luton BJ13 TXV arriving for a break at the Shell Service Area at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working a day excursion to Great Yarmouth. It is a Sunsundegui Sideral bodied Volvo B7R that was new in May 2013. This day excursion was advertised to run on 29 July, 12 and 26 August plus 2 September with pick-ups at Luton (Sundon Park garage) at 0730, Luton (Interchange) 0745), Luton (Galaxy Centre) 0750 and Dunstable 0815. The website shows the break at Barton Mills as part of the formal itinerary. (It puzzles me why Dunstable, which is west of Luton, is the final pick-up rather than being the second pick-up).

Saturday 29 July 2023 (1028) – Three Star Coaches of Luton BJ13 TXV seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills just after having a break at the Shell when working a day excursion to Great Yarmouth. It is a Sunsundegui Sideral bodied Volvo B7R that was new in May 2013. This day excursion was advertised to run on 29 July, 12 and 26 August plus 2 September with pick-ups at Luton (Sundon Park garage) at 0730, Luton (Interchange) 0745), Luton (Galaxy Centre) 0750 and Dunstable 0815. The website shows the break at Barton Mills as part of the formal itinerary. (It puzzles me why Dunstable, which is west of Luton, is the final pick-up rather than being the second pick-up).

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0949) – Theobold’s Coaches of Luton Y6 TBC seen at the Shell Service Area, Fiveways, Barton Mills taking a break when heading for Great Yarmouth. It is a Temsa Safari HD that had been new to County Coaches of Luton Airport in April 2017 registered YJ17 DBX. For some years Theobold’s has operated this combined holiday express service/day excursion from Dunstable and Luton on Saturdays and for 2023 the dates of operation are 27 May, 3 June, 22 and 29 July, 5, 12, 19 and 26 August then 2 September. As well as carrying holiday passengers who stay at the coast for a week or more the coach is also advertised as a day excursion. It would give day visitors an arrival at about 1130 returning about 1630.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0928) – Theobold’s Coaches of Luton Y6 TBC seen at the Shell Service Area, Fiveways, Barton Mills taking a break when heading for Great Yarmouth. It is a Temsa Safari HD that had been new to County Coaches of Luton Airport in April 2017 registered YJ17 DBX. For some years Theobold’s has operated this combined holiday express service/day excursion from Dunstable and Luton on Saturdays and for 2023 the dates of operation are 27 May, 3 June, 22 and 29 July, 5, 12, 19 and 26 August then 2 September. As well as carrying holiday passengers who stay at the coast for a week or more the coach is also advertised as a day excursion. It would give day visitors an arrival at about 1130 returning about 1630.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0956) – Theobold’s Coaches of Luton Y6 TBC seen just after taking a break at the Shell Service Area, Fiveways, Barton Mills when heading for Great Yarmouth. It is a Temsa Safari HD that had been new to County Coaches of Luton Airport in April 2017 registered YJ17 DBX. For some years Theobold’s has operated this combined holiday express service/day excursion from Dunstable and Luton on Saturdays and for 2023 the dates of operation are 27 May, 3 June, 22 and 29 July, 5, 12, 19 and 26 August then 2 September. As well as carrying holiday passengers who stay at the coast for a week or more the coach is also advertised as a day excursion. It would give day visitors an arrival at about 1130 returning about 1630.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0956) – Theobold’s Coaches of Luton Y6 TBC seen just after taking a break at the Shell Service Area, Fiveways, Barton Mills when heading for Great Yarmouth. It is a Temsa Safari HD that had been new to County Coaches of Luton Airport in April 2017 registered YJ17 DBX. For some years Theobold’s has operated this combined holiday express service/day excursion from Dunstable and Luton on Saturdays and for 2023 the dates of operation are 27 May, 3 June, 22 and 29 July, 5, 12, 19 and 26 August then 2 September. As well as carrying holiday passengers who stay at the coast for a week or more the coach is also advertised as a day excursion. It would give day visitors an arrival at about 1130 returning about 1630.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0919) – Two vehicles operated by Hamiltons Coaches of Desborough (near Rothwell near Kettering) at Fiveways, Barton Mills heading eastbound on the A11. The business is owned by Minesh Uka and the registration numbers of most of the fleet feature the letters UKA. Leading is H19 UKA, a Jonckheere bodied Volvo B11R that had been new to Parks of Hamilton in March 2016 registered LSK 824 (Registered SA16 RRL prior to becoming H19 UKA). Following is TU18 UKA, a Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B8R new in March 2018

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0919) – The second of two vehicles operated by Hamiltons Coaches of Desborough (near Rothwell near Kettering) at Fiveways, Barton Mills heading eastbound on the A11. The business is owned by Minesh Uka and the registration numbers of most of the fleet feature the letters UKA. TU18 UKA is a Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B8R new in March 2018. It was following H19 UKA, a Jonckheere bodied Volvo B11R that had been new to Parks of Hamilton in March 2016 registered LSK 824 (Registered SA16 RRL prior to becoming H19 UKA).

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0920) – Bill’s Coach Hire, Milton Keynes WA06 GSO seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills just before taking a break at the Shell Service Area. It is a Van Hool Astrobel bodied Volvo B12BT new in March 2006 to Westway Coach Services, Raynes Park.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0920) – Bill’s Coach Hire, Milton Keynes WA06 GSO seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills just before taking a break at the Shell Service Area. It is a Van Hool Astrobel bodied Volvo B12BT new in March 2006 to Westway Coach Services, Raynes Park.

Saturday 29 July 2023 (0921) – Bill’s Coach Hire, Milton Keynes WA06 GSO seen at Fiveways (A1065), Barton Mills just before taking a break at the Shell Service Area. It is a Van Hool Astrobel bodied Volvo B12BT new in March 2006 to Westway Coach Services, Raynes Park.