New Peterborough bus depot and rollout of electric buses coming soon as land purchase officially complete
The plan to create a new bus depot in Peterborough has taken a major step forward after a purchase for the land was officially completed.
On Tuesday (August 4), the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority officially completed the purchase of a site in Tyrrell Park, Fengate.
The Combined Authority will now commence work to bring the facility in use for a modern bus fleet. Tyrrell Park is currently home to a number of premises formerly operated by car manufacturers.
As part of the Combined Authority’s commitment to delivering a reliable, affordable and integrated transport network, the new depot will play a vital role in supporting the future operation of franchised bus services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The site will provide operational facilities, including fleet maintenance and driver dispatch. It is not intended to be a public-facing facility or passenger interchange.
The depot will form part of the infrastructure needed to support economic growth and deliver a more sustainable transport network across the region.
By taking ownership of the site, the Combined Authority hopes to reduce barriers to entry for bus operators, enabling companies of all sizes to compete fairly for contracts to run local services. Greater competition could in turn help to deliver better value for money while supporting more frequent, reliable and better-connected bus services for communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The Combined Authority has been working in partnership with Peterborough City Council to develop the project.
Mayor Paul Bristow, said: “Securing this depot is an important step forward in improving bus services for local people. Better buses matter because they help people get to work, school, appointments and the places they need to be.
“Reliable bus services are a lifeline, especially for our rural communities, connecting people to jobs, education and health services. By taking control of our transport network, we can build a system that works better for residents, saves people money in the long term and helps make our communities healthier, wealthier and happier.”
Councillor Angus Ellis, cabinet member for transport at Peterborough City Council, added: “We have known for a long time that the current bus depot location in Peterborough is no longer fit for purpose. This relocation will free up much-needed space in the Millfield community, as well as creating a more accessible bus depot which is greatly needed in our city.
"It fits in with our wider plans for the growth of Peterborough, as well as providing the means for more efficient bus services in Peterborough in the here and now.
"The new depot will also allow for electric buses to be rolled out, for the first time in Peterborough. This will be better for the environment and more cost effective and help future-proof public transport for our long-term future."