Construction work has commenced on Warrington's new bus depot, paving the way to the introduction of one of the largest fleets of all-electric buses in the UK.

The £10million 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.

-- Advertisement --

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.

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.

The all-electric bus depot and fleet are supporting the Council’s commitment, through its Local Transport Plan (LTP4), and climate emergency declaration, to provide cleaner, greener and more sustainable travel.