New electric bus depot planned for Stockport - DRAFT

We are planning to construct our first purpose-built, fully electric Bee Network bus depot in Stockport, on the former Lex Autolease site on Heathside Park Road.

This new depot is an important step towards a cleaner, greener public transport system, helping the Bee Network move towards its goal of net zero carbon emissions.

The existing Stockport depot will be demolished as part of wider plans to regenerate the town centre and build new homes.

About the proposal

To support a modern, zero-emission Bee Network bus fleet, we need up-to-date facilities. The new depot would:

Accommodate around 200 electric buses and charging points
Provide a workshop for maintenance and servicing, including MOT testing
Include driver rest and welfare spaces, offices, and storage

We are carrying out a range of assessments to make sure the depot is well designed and suitable for the local area. These include looking at:

Traffic and local roads
Noise levels
Wildlife and ecology
Trees and landscaping

The new depot will help:

Improve air quality by reducing emissions
Lower carbon emissions across the Bee Network
Provide a more modern and reliable bus service

Find out more about the proposals

Thank you to everyone who attended our drop-in sessions this summer and shared their feedback on the proposals.

You can still learn more about the plans by exploring the information and FAQs on this page. If you'd like to get in touch, please email StockportEVBusDepot@tfgm.com.

Next steps

We intend to submit a planning application to Stockport Council this autumn.

Subject to planning approval, construction on the Heathside Park Road site is expected to start this autumn, with the new electric depot expected to be up and running by late 2029. 

While the new bus depot is being built, we will build temporary bus depots at:

Heaton Lane (former car park site)
Wood Street (former Lundy site)

Construction of these temporary sites is due to start this autumn, and work set to be completed by the winter.

Frequently asked questions

The existing bus depot at Daw Bank will be demolished in early 2027 to make way for more than 400 new homes.

This is part of Stockport Council's Stockport 8 regeneration programme, which aims to deliver around 1,300 new homes near the town centre and viaduct.

While the new electric bus depot is being built, temporary depots will operate at Heaton Lane and Wood Street. Construction of these temporary sites will start in autumn 2026 and is expected to be completed by winter 2026.

A temporary depot is needed so the Stockport 8 regeneration project can move forward and new homes can be built on the existing depot site.

It will also allow bus services to continue operating while the new electric bus depot is being built. This helps minimise disruption for passengers.

Once the new depot at Heathside Park Road is operational, buses will move to the new site and the temporary depot will be removed.

TfGM and Stockport Council carried out a detailed site search to find a suitable location for a new electric bus depot.

The former Lex Auto Lease site at Heathside Park Road was identified as a strong option because it provides enough space for a modern depot and a growing electric bus fleet.

The site also allows for future expansion if additional capacity is needed.

Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to start in 2027. The new electric bus depot is expected to be operational by late 2029.

Protecting and enhancing the local environment is an important part of the project.

We are carrying out a range of environmental assessments to help ensure the depot is well designed, sustainable and suitable for the area. These assessments include:

• Wildlife and ecology
• Biodiversity net gain
• Trees and landscaping
• Noise
• Visual appearance
• Traffic and transport impacts

We will retain as many existing trees as possible to help screen the depot and reduce its visual impact.

Some tree removal may be needed to make way for construction. Any trees removed will be replaced through new planting and landscaping.

No changes to bus services are currently planned as part of the depot proposals.

The new depot will provide more space than the existing facility and support the future growth of the Bee Network.

Traffic assessments show the impact on the wider road network is expected to be minimal, including at Roscoes Roundabout. Further traffic assessments will continue as the design develops.

The depot will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Bus drivers will work different shifts to support services throughout the day, including early morning and late evening journeys.

Engineering and office-based staff will generally work during standard daytime hours.

Construction plans are still being developed.

If any particularly noisy activities are required, they will be carefully planned and managed to minimise disruption. Noise levels will be monitored throughout the construction period.

A Construction Traffic Management Plan will be put in place before work starts.

This will set out how construction vehicles will be managed to help keep traffic moving safely and minimise disruption for local residents and businesses. There are currently no plans for temporary road closures.

The proposed depot will support a fully electric bus fleet. Electric buses are much quieter than traditional diesel buses, so noise from bus movements is expected to be lower.

The workshop has also been positioned towards the rear of the site to help reduce noise from maintenance activities. Noise assessments will continue throughout the design process.

We have been engaging with local residents, businesses and stakeholders throughout the development of the proposals.

In June and July 2026, we held drop-in sessions at Cheadle Library, Merseyway Shopping Centre and the Rose Walker Community Centre. These events gave people the opportunity to view the plans, speak with the project team and ask questions.

Feedback gathered through the engagement activities is helping to inform the development of the proposals.