The Wakefield Express reports that Arriva has permanently closed its Wakefield depot, which houses its Yorkshire head office, due to ‘serious structural problems.’ The newspaper reports that the operator took emergency action following the discovery of the issues in an engineering building at the depot, and it is understood that some, if not all, of the building will need to be demolished.
Arriva told local press that it will work to minimise disruption to services until replacement facilities are able to be provided, and temporary measures have been put in place to park vehicles at the city’s bus station and to use other nearby depots at Castleford, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike, whilst some buses will continue to be parked outside at the Barnsley Road depot as part of interim arrangements.
Office staff have been relocated to alternative facilities at Wakefield bus station. The newpaper added that negotiations are taking place over the possible use of land close to the city centre as a temporary base for Arriva’s Wakefield operations, with the operator expected to submit a planning application to Wakefield Council to carry out emergency demolition work at the depot to clear the site for redevelopment.
A spokesperson for Arriva Yorkshire said: “Whilst preparing for improvements to our Wakefield depot, a structural problem in the engineering building was discovered. As soon as we were made aware of the issue we took immediate steps in line with independent expert advice and we are relocating affected colleagues to work from other nearby locations.”
Wakefield Council’s service director for planning, transportation and highways Joe Jenkinson told local media: “We are aware that Arriva is having to urgently vacate buildings at its depot at Belle Isle, but has assured us that alternative arrangements are in place aimed at minimising disruption. The council will keep a very close interest in the future plans for a bus depot for Wakefield, and the impacts of the temporary arrangements on bus passengers in the district.”
