Warrington bus investment to advance Southern Gateway

The council’s cabinet approved a cash injection for the town’s bus company to facilitate its relocation to Dallam Lane, unlocking land around Wilderspool Causeway for the 1,300-home development.

Warrington Council’s undisclosed investment into Warrington’s Own Buses is also aimed at helping the company upgrade its infrastructure “so that it is able to support a fleet of electric buses in the future”.  

This will reduce the use of fossil fuel powered vehicles, increase the use of public transport, and improve air quality in the town, the council hopes. 

The creation of the new bus depot, to be built on a four-acre site on the Warrington Central Trading Estate, is to cost around £10m. The council has already secured £7m from external funders. 

The remaining £3m required for the project will be funded through borrowing. 

A contractor is to be appointed to build the depot in September and construction is to start in October, according to the council. 

Plans for the new-build bus station, proposed by Wire Regeneration – a joint venture between Warrington Council and developer Langtree – were approved in 2019. 

In February, Warrington Council gave the go-ahead for the relocation, freeing up land for the Southern Gateway development. 

As well as more than 1,000 homes, Wire Regeneration’s vision for the Southern Gateway includes a commercial area fronting the south side of Bridgefoot and the River Mersey, enhanced public spaces, and a hotel. 

As well as the existing bus depot, other sites within the Southern Gateway include the former Wilderspool Rugby Ground, Wharf Industrial Estate, and the St James Court offices.