All aboard as work starts on new £5m bus depot

CONSTRUCTION has started on a £5.5m bus depot and engineering hub in Warwickshire.

Warwick-based developer AC Lloyd and project managers Minns Network are developing the new facility at Trident Park in Warwick for bus company Stagecoach.

The bus company is currently based in Leamington but is relocating from its present site in Station Approach due to the land being acquired for a new housing development.

Work on the new depot, which is scheduled to complete in April next year, will include six mechanical maintenance pits, two areas to allow buses to be elevated for repair and inspection, an engineering office, a bus wash and parking for more than 75 vehicles.

Des Wynne, of AC Lloyd, said: “Station Approach will see the creation of much-needed affordable homes and in turn has given Stagecoach the opportunity to create a state-of-the- art depot from where they will run their local operations.

“This will mark the completion of Trident Park following the recent development of a new teaching facility for Warwickshire College, and the Trident Business Centre, both of which were successfully completed last year.”

He said the development was also a good example of a collaborative approach to a project by local firms.

Deeley Construction, based in Coventry, won the construction contract, while the legal work was undertaken by Leamington law firm Wright Hassall. Meanwhile, Bromwich Hardy and Avison Young – both local firms – have acted as agents for the scheme.

Stagecoach will be employing 165 people at the new depot, with the buses and coaches based there operating across the area and into Coventry.

Steve Burd, managing director for Stagecoach Midlands, said: “Our initial fleet will consist of 27 double decks, 26 single decks and 14 Gold standard minibuses.

“The move will allow us to significantly improve our engineering capability on site and provide our staff with the best modern facilities in which to work.”