First Eastern Counties Excel buses by the South Gate, King’s Lynn - 14 Jan 2022 (P1100457)

Friday 14 January 2022 (1016) – Two First Eastern Counties Excel liveried Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 City bodied Scania N250UDs seen by the South Gate in King’s Lynn.

Approaching the camera is 36915 (YN69 XZV) working eastbound on the 0840 service C from Peterborough to Norwich. In the background is 36918 (YN69 XZY) working westbound on the 0840 service C from Norwich to Peterborough.

Both eastbound and westbound services travel in to and out of the town centre along this road from a roundabout behind the camera which enables two sightings of the same bus operating each trip.

The First Eastern Counties garage stands to the right of the camera in an adjacent road and is home to most of the twenty or so dedicated buses used on the Excel services.

The South Gate is the only surviving gatehouse for the town of King’s Lynn and dates to the early 15th century. As well as being part of the town’s fortifications it was also used to control entry into the town and until 1741 a gatekeeper was employed to collect tolls.