Barton Transport 1205 (LAL 307K) in Manchester - May 1972

Barton Transport’s Blackpool-Manchester-Nottingham service X61 used two Yelloway locations as departure points. Starting from Bloomfield Road coach station in Blackpool it called at Central Station Forecourt, Manchester where 1205 (LAL 307K), a Plaxton Panorama Elite bodied Leyland Leopard new in April 1972, is seen.. The Midland Hotel is visible through the exit gate, a tubular lift up barrier to prevent wayward vehicles (usually private cars) from entering. Just visible on right left of the picture is part of the former air raid shelters which Yelloway converted into a booking office, waiting room and inspectors office - Lower Mosley Street and the Metrolink tram tracks now run past the spot. Note the illuminated ‘Yelloway Coach Terminal’ sign. When this site came into use the authorities (council or police I can’t now recall) imposed a rule that coaches had to turn left on leaving the exit gate and travel around the Midland Hotel and then round St. Peter’s Square to then travel along Lower Mosley Street passing the property a good few minutes later. This was because they didn’t want coaches blocking the street or causing other problems should they have turned right out of the gate and then immediately turn right into Lower Mosley Street (in effect making a U turn). Needless to say there were some coach drivers who chanced their arm with the manoeuvre.