Outline business case for new bus depot approved

An outline business case for a city's new bus depot has been approved.

The new terminal for Peterborough aims to enable better bus services and provide infrastructure for electric buses.

On Wednesday, the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) approved funding that would enable a full business case to be produced and to acquire land for the new depot.

The Conservative mayor of the CPCA, Paul Bristow, said: "I am thrilled to have the backing of my board for this project. A new bus depot is clearly needed and will help provide the better services and economic growth I'm determined to deliver for Peterborough."

An agreement to purchase land for the depot is planned to be put before the combined authority's board for approval in March. The funding recommended by the board is up to £7.6m of a forecast total project cost of £20.6m.

The current depot on Lincoln Road is limited by its location, small size and lack of charging facilities.

The CPCA has been working in partnership with Peterborough City Council to develop the project, which it said was key to the delivery of transport improvements set out in the Local Growth Plan published late last year.

Peterborough was identified as one of four areas with "enormous growth potential" but the plan said improvements to local transport were essential for that to be achieved.

Labour's Angus Ellis, the council's cabinet member for environment and transport, said he was "delighted" the combined authority had approved the first part of funding.

"This is just one part of our wider vision... to support the transition to active and sustainable travel in Peterborough," he said.

"A bigger and better Peterborough needs to give our residents a range of transport options, and this should lead to improved and more environmentally friendly bus services for those who live in, work in and visit the city."

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