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Tuesday 1 September saw the Honk for Hope UK protest visit London for the second time. Richard Sharman was in attendance to record what turned out to be a day with many twists and turns
Take a look through the gallery below
One vehicle that certainly caught the attention of the public was the ‘hearse coach.’ Van Hool Alizee-bodied Volvo B10M K11 FCL was donated by Gavin Stapley, Director of Thorns of Rayleigh, who also paid for the fuel. The unique livery was designed and painted by Jason Burn and his team at Copeland’s, with Alan Chown of Dhillon Coaches working day and night to pull it all together. One of Alan Chown’s drivers, Rolly Myers, assisted with walking in front of the coach to attract even more attention. RICHARD SHARMAN
Only a small number of coaches managed to travel over Westminster Bridge towards Parliament Square before the Police closed it off. Leading the convoy from the Waterloo side of the bridge was North East Coachways Van Hool TX27 Astromega M77 NEC, with a Boris Johnson face mask-wearing co-driver. RICHARD SHARMAN
Anita’s Coaches Yutong TC9 is diverted over Westminster Bridge whilst a family wave at a honking Flagfinders Coaches Irizar i6. RICHARD SHARMAN
M.J Forsyth’s Van Hool T917 Astron Y8 MFT reflects TJ’s Coaches’ Yutong GT12 in its polished black livery. RICHARD SHARMAN
The Police restricted vehicles using Westminster Bridge whilst Honk for Hope coaches were in the area, forcing them to divert in a loop around Waterloo station. Only TfL and express coaches were allowed through. A Wood’s Coaches of Bognor Regis Irizar is seen travelling away from the area. RICHARD SHARMAN
D.J Thomas’ 65th Anniversary-liveried Volvo 9900 is seen completing the loop around Waterloo. RICHARD SHARMAN
North East Coach Travel’s Yutong TC12 has attended all the events, but an additional window vinyl has now been added, with the face of Ian Jones of Backhouse Jones, which has been supporting Honk for Hope UK and the operators. RICHARD SHARMAN
Star of a previous CBW feature, Margaret Orr, can be seen in the courier seat as Cresta Coaches Jonckheere JHV-bodied Volvo B11R passes Waterloo station after being diverted. RICHARD SHARMAN
A friendly wave from the North Dorset Travel team at Waterloo. RICHARD SHARMAN
Baker’s of Moreton-in-Marsh Yutong GT12 YB19 MTB in G2 Travel livery. RICHARD SHARMAN
Irizar i6 JT17 HOL of Jewels Tours of Gravesend passes Waterloo Station. RICHARD SHARMAN
The first coaches to arrive in the Parliament Square area came along Victoria Embankment at 1008hrs to turn right. Unfortunately the Metropolitan Police had decided that ‘the procession may result in serious disruption to the life of the community’ and issued a Section 12(3) order to each coach at the junction. A number of Extinction Rebellion events were also due to held in Parliament Square on the same day, and went ahead. Grange Travel’s 70-plate Mercedes-Benz Tourismo was leading the convoy. RICHARD SHARMAN
