Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has revealed plans for a brand-new fully electric bus depot in Stockport.
The new depot will take the place of the current depot on Heathside Park Road, which is scheduled for demolition in early 2027.
A former Lex Autolease site; the new depot will support Greater Manchester’s growing fleet of zero-emission buses, with the announcement following the confirmation of new electric bus orders for the Bee Network in May.
Thus far, half of Greater Manchester’s depots have been electrified, with Ashton and Middleton now fully electric while Bolton, Oldham and Hyde Road have also been upgraded.
The new depot in Stockport is expected to be able to accommodate around 200 electric buses and their associated charging points, as well as a workshop area where buses can be maintained and service – streamlining operations above current capacity at Daw Bank.
Chris Barnes, Infrastructure Delivery Director at TfGM, said:Modernising the Bee Network means better services for passengers and cleaner air for everyone in Greater Manchester. That’s why we’ve been investing in our depots, upgrading them to accommodate our growing fleet of electric buses.
This site in Stockport offers us the perfect opportunity to build the first electric bus depot of its kind in Greater Manchester – one that is purpose-built and fit for the future. And it also means the regeneration of the town centre can continue.
We look forward to speaking with local residents about the proposals as we prepare to submit our plans for the depot to Stockport Council later this year.
Once the existing Daw Bank depot is demolished in 2027, construction is set to begin soon after, with the new electric depot set to be up and running by late 2029.
In the meantime; temporary bus depots will be installed at Heaton Lane (on the site of the former car park) and Wood Street (on the former Lundy site) with construction due to start this summer and work set to be completed by the winter.
The permanent depot at Heathside Park Road will be fully electric with space for more buses, a workshop area for maintenance, servicing and MOT testing, offices and storage, and capacity for future expansion.
TfGM has stated it intends to submit a full planning application for the new electric vehicle (EV) bus depot this Summer.
