Last
Updated: 22 June 2001
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PRESTON: Photo Locations
View Preston Centre Map Here
Bus Station
The obvious location in Preston is at Preston Bus Station. For those who are unfamiliar with it, it is located at the east end of the town adjacent to the inner ring road and has a large multi-storey car park on top of it.
The largest bus station in the world, it has 80 departure gates, 40 per side. Nos 1-40 are the "corpy" or Preston Bus departure bays, 41-80 for other operators- primarily Stagecoach Ribble, Arriva NW and Fishwick.
Express services also use this side.
Buses enter at either the North or South end of the station, but 95% of departures are made at the Southern end next to the Guildhall. This is advantageous as it has good light in all conditions.
The light on the Preston side of the station is much better than the Ribble side where it is only really possible to take good photos as a vehicle heads down to the bottom end of the station because of the position of the sun.
Both sides have a large apron area where buses park up between duties.
There is a by-law in force which prohibits pedestrians on the apron which is ignored by just about everybody. However there are occasional purges, and on the Ribble side, Inspectors can get very stroppy about you photographing the parked up buses.
Depots:
Preston Bus
Situated in Deepdale Road, the depot is a very friendly place. Both the Managing Director and Chief Engineer are lifelong bus enthusiasts and it is rarely a problem to get round the depot. However, it is a former tram depot and the running shed is as black as night inside.The works area carries out full body overhauls and complex coachbuilding tasks as well as day-to-day maintenance duties and non-Preston vehicles can sometimes be seen in this area. Photo opportunities are really limited to vehicles in the yard or running on or off depot. When in the yard, take care as the ambulance station is right next to the depot and shares the yard and vehicles can be moving at any time.
Stagecoach North-West (Ribble):
Situated in Selbourne Street this is now a very unfriendly place. There is no external parking, all vehicles being inside and it is now very difficult to get round. Inside, lighting is abysmal - a real black hole.
Photo opportunities are limited to buses running on or off depot.
Round the town:
There are several very good locations around the town. Most outer termini for Preston routes are in housing estates which give a variety of views. However the best terminus shots are as follows:
21 Broadgate: a turning circle down by the river, very picturesque
22 Fulwood: dedicated tree-lined turning circle close to the hospital
23/123 Sherwood: out by ASDA good architecture
29 Frenchwood (operated by Blackpool HandyBus): tree-lined again down by the river
Out on the routes there are also some superb locations on the following routes:
22/23/123: Two good locations, firstly at Lytham Road roundabout, trees and good lighting. You will also get Ribble Zippy Z9 vehicles here. About half a mile further up the road, Conway Drive is also a good place.
24/25 Lea: Best places here are along Pedders Lane which runs down the side of Ashton Park and on Egerton Road which is a wide tree-lined road, good light at all times of the day. On Pedders Lane, you will also get the minis on route 30.
30 Savick: In addition to Pedders Lane mentioned above, the 30 runs through the Dockland Redevelopment area which can give some good shots.
33/34/43/44 Tanterton Group: Soon to be the venue of the forthcoming Tridents, this group of routes provides a good photo opportunity at Cadley just past the end of Cadley Causeway where the road sweeps into a dip with excellent lighting for inbound buses.
Moor Park:
served by a number of Preston Bus routes and all north bound Stagecoach Ribble. One mile from the centre.
Railway Station:
Served by Preston, Stagecoach, Fishwick and Arriva NW. There is a bus stop for inbound buses opposite the station approach ramp. Very good light and a cafe near by in the Fishergate Centre mall.
London Road:
On the south side of the town, served by Stagecoach Ribble and Arriva NW. Down by the river is the best spot but lighting can be a bit tricky at times.
