New facility atDallam Lane in Warrington will enable Warrington’s Own Buses, the council-owned bus company, to expand its modern fleet and recruit more drivers and technical staff

A new bus depot is planned for Dallam Lane in Warrington and will replace the existing operation on Wilderspool Causeway if it secures planning consent.

The new facility will enable Warrington’s Own Buses, the council-owned bus company, to expand its modern fleet and recruit more drivers and technical staff.  It will have room for 20 further buses, taking the fleet to 140.

The applicant, Wire Regeneration, is a joint venture between Warrington Council and developer Langtree that has been tasked with bringing about the wholesale regeneration of the town’s Southern Gateway.

“This is a vital next step in ensuring the town has the most efficient and technically-advanced fleet possible,” said Ben Wakerley, Warrington’s Own Buses managing director.  “It will enable us to improve conditions for our hard-working colleagues and ensure that we can continue to improve the service for our passengers.”

If planning permission is granted the new depot would be complete and operational by the summer of 2021.

The first project in its wider masterplan, the construction of 160 new homes on the site of Warrington RLFC’s former Wilderspool stadium, was recently granted planning permission.

This latest move, says Langtree group development director Neal Biddle, is the next major step in delivering its proposals, the relocation of the bus depot freeing up a key site.

“This is a key site within our masterplan and if permission is granted for the new depot will allow us to bring forward proposals for major civic space and more homes,” he said.

The team involved in the project is Janus Architects (specialists in bus depots), Spawforths – planners, Cundalls – M&E, Marston and Grundy – civil &  structural engineers, and Curtins – traffic & transport consultants.