Galloway European Coachlines (National Express contractor) 107 (BF68 LCM) in Ipswich - 8 Jul 2022 (P1120444)

Friday 8 July 2022 (1139) – Galloway European Coachlines 107 (BF68 LCM) setting out from Ipswich on the 1135 National Express service 482 to London (Victoria). The loading point for National Express services is now in the lay-by next to the Cricketers public house in Crown Street (to the right off camera). Departing coaches then loop round through Tower Ramparts bus station to then turn left to Crown Street. Synchronised with the left turn indicators note the additional flashing warning light to warn cyclists of danger.

Galloway has operated for National Express for many years and currently has eight Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 EB6 in the fleet numbered 101-108 which were all new in January 2019.

Today this coach had previously worked the 0605 Ipswich-Stansted (0800) and 0925 Stansted-Ipswich (1105) trips of service 251 before taking up the 1135 Ipswich-London (Victoria) (1520) service 482 returning as the 1630 London (Victoria)-Ipswich (2020) service 482.

In addition to services 251 (1 round trip daily) and 482 (5 round trips daily) the other services worked by Galloway include service 250 (Ipswich-Stansted-Heathrow : 2 round trips daily) and service 075 (Bury St. Edmunds-Cambridge-London : (1 round trip on the complete service plus 1 short London-Cambridge round trip in between all daily).

In the background is the Crown Pools swimming pool centre which Ipswich Borough Council announced (in June 2022) plans to close and re-develop the site with residential housing. The plan is to build a replacement pools and gym leisure complex near the Ipswich Town stadium.