Yesterday our Managing Director, Andrew Cross and our Project Team were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Warrington, Warrington South MP Andy Carter, dignitaries from Warrington Borough Council and Civil Engineering students from UTC Warrington onto site for the ground breaking ceremony of the new Warrington Bus Depot project.
The new depot will be home to the 1st all electric bus fleet in the UK and with an eventual fleet of 120, it will be one of the largest all electric bus depots in Europe.
Carefoot will be giving local construction students access to the project to capitalise on the live learning environment that this cutting edge project provides.
The £10m facility – funded by Warrington Borough Council, the Government’s Town Deal Fund and Getting Building Fund – forms an important part of Warrington’s plans to bring major investment into the town’s bus service.
Due for completion by the end of 2022, the new bus depot, on Dallam Lane, will have the capability to support an all-electric fleet of buses. Next year, it will be fitted out to include chargers for Warrington’s new electric bus fleet, due for roll out towards the end of 2023.
Warrington’s electric bus fleet is being supported by £21.5m from the Department of Transport’s ZEBRA fund. The funding will enable the replacement of Warrington’s Own Buses’ entire fleet of diesel buses – which cover 85% of the bus mileage in the borough – with 120 new electric buses, giving Warrington one of the biggest all-electric bus fleets in the country.
Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for transportation, highways and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “I’m delighted that work is under way on our stunning new bus depot, ushering in a new era for bus travel in Warrington.
“It’s exciting that this new, purpose-built, cutting-edge facility will be able to accommodate an all-electric bus fleet – which is a key ambition for us on our transformational transport journey. The introduction of our electric fleet, charged by renewable energy, next year will bring massive benefits, helping to decarbonise Warrington’s transport system, as we works towards a zero-carbon future.”
“The start of construction on our new depot is a huge step forward for our ambitious Town Deal plans and our vision to drive forward sustainable transport in Warrington. It will support our work to improve air quality and tackle the climate emergency, providing the foundation for more environmentally friendly, modern and attractive bus services for local people.”
Managing Director of Warrington’s Own Buses, Ben Wakerley, added: “I’m delighted that construction work is starting on our new bus depot. It is a truly transformative project for bus services in our town.
“Not only is our new depot in a much better location for our buses to access, but it will also have the capability to support our all-electric bus fleet – which is really exciting for Warrington. It’s an important part of our ongoing work to deliver cleaner, greener transport across our town and provide a bus service which is fit for the future.
“I’m delighted to see the continued investment in Warrington’s bus service, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing this fantastic facility taking shape in the coming months.”
