New Warrington bus depot taking shape as build progresses

The major project on land off Dallam Lane near to the Halliwell Jones Stadium is making good progress as the building takes shape.

Metal framework had shot up at pace by May, with the roof having also been installed on the £10million facility, which will house one of the largest fleets of all-electric buses in the UK.

Since then, cladding, brickwork and glass windows have also been completed as the project nears its expected completion date by the end of the year.

Once this stage is finished, the depot will then be fitted out with chargers for Warrington’s new electric bus fleet, which is due to be rolled out towards the end of 2023.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter has previously praised the development, stating: “The Government’s £42million investment in Warrington is one of the largest bus investments in the north of England.

“Not only will it see the entire fleet replaced with zero emission busses, it also provides £16million for improving running of services, meaning more frequent bus services and more routes covered.

Impressive progress is being made on the construction of the new Warrington bus depot (Images: Mike Boden)

“The bus depot is moving from the end of Wilderspool Causeway to a new site near the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

“Construction is progressing well, meaning the site will soon be welcoming the first of the 120 new electric buses for Warrington funded by the Department for Transport.

“The brownfield site of the existing bus depot is expected to be cleared and used for new affordable housing, close to town centre amenities and local services.”

Warrington’s electric bus fleet is being supported by £21.5million 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 per cent of the bus mileage in the borough – with 120 new electric buses.

The council’s commitment to green energy will also see the new buses charged by green electricity, including from the council’s solar farm in Cirencester, as part of its part to provide more cleaner sustainable travel.

Impressive progress is being made on the construction of the new Warrington bus depot (Images: Mike Boden)

The relocation will allow land to be released at the current bus depot site, which has the potential to deliver 600 new homes on Wilderspool Causeway.

Cllr Hans Mundry, Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for transportation, previously described the project as a ‘new era for bus travel in Warrington’.

“It is 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,” he said.

“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 work 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.”