Press releases

Arriva North West and Wales today welcomed Transport Minister Tony McNulty to the site of the company's Birkenhead bus depot which is undergoing a significant rebuild programme.

Costing in the region of £5 million, the depot is due to be completed in January 2004. The site will house 116 buses and will be the base for a workforce of around 350, including drivers, and clerical and engineering employees.

Bob Hind, managing director of Arriva North West and Wales , said:

We are delighted to welcome the Minister to the site of our new depot. The work currently being carried out is extensive and will introduce new, modern workshop facilities. It will replace what was originally a tram garage built at the turn of the last century.

Employees will benefit from the new redevelopment, as a new social club is included in the plans, as are refurbished rest facilities.

The development is a clear indication of our commitment to Merseyside and we are grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate the progress of this to the minister.

Tony McNulty, parliamentary under-secretary of state for the department for transport, said:

We need good integrated transport links across Merseyside and the contribution that Arriva is making in Birkenhead is key to this.

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Note to editors

The original tram garage was built 100 years ago this year, in 1903.