Arriva Birkenhead Farewell | End of an era at Laird Street

Join me at Laird Street Bus Depot in Birkenhead, Wirral, on the night of Saturday 24th October 2026, as we witness the final hours of Arriva operations ahead of the introduction of bus franchising and the takeover by Go North West. After many years of Arriva operating services from Laird Street, this historic depot is preparing for a major change as the next phase of the Liverpool City Region's bus franchising programme gets underway. Throughout the evening, we capture the last Arriva buses departing from and returning to Laird Street Depot, as drivers complete their final journeys and vehicles return home for the last time under Arriva operation. It's an emotional and significant occasion for local bus enthusiasts, staff and passengers alike, marking the end of one chapter in the history of bus operations on the Wirral and the beginning of another. And the weather certainly wasn't making things easy! With Storm Boelo bringing strong winds and challenging conditions to the area, the final evening of Arriva operations took place against a dramatic backdrop, making this an especially memorable night of filming. As the evening progresses, we see the familiar Arriva fleet continuing its final duties, with buses returning to the depot as services wind down ahead of the overnight changeover. This video captures the atmosphere outside Laird Street during those final hours, documenting an important moment in Merseyside's transport history. From the familiar blue Arriva liveries to the final buses making their way through the depot gates, these are scenes that will soon become part of the Wirral's bus operating history. This is the first of my special videos documenting the Laird Street changeover, with further footage covering the overnight arrival of the new Go North West fleet and the beginning of franchised operations. A huge thank you to all the Arriva drivers, engineers, depot staff and other employees who have worked at Laird Street over the years, helping to keep the Wirral moving. 🚌 If you enjoy this video, please give it a like, leave a comment with your memories of Arriva on the Wirral, and consider subscribing for more bus, coach, truck, tram and transport-related content. ⭐ Support the channel Get early access to videos and exclusive members-only content by joining the channel here:    / @shtvmedia   🕓 Filmed: Saturday 24th October 2026 – Evening & Night 📍 Location: Laird Street Depot, Birkenhead, Wirral 🚌 Featuring: Final Arriva Bus Operations Before Franchising 🌬️ Weather: Storm Boelo 🚍 Upcoming: Go North West Laird Street Depot Changeover 🎥 Filmed in 4K UHD by SHTV Media 🗓️ New Videos Released Regularly! #Arriva #Birkenhead #LairdStreet #WirralBuses #BusFranchising #GoNorthWest #MerseysideBuses #SHTVMedia