Arriva to shut Stafford outstation

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Arriva West Midlands is considering proposals to close its Stafford outstation.

The operator is looking to drop some services, while moving others to its Cannock depot.

An Arriva spokesperson told CBW that details of the revised network should be available next week.

Rob Cheveaux, Area Managing Director for Arriva West Midlands, explained: “Arriva is currently looking to undertake a restructure of our business across the West Midlands as we seek to maximise the efficiency of our vast network.

“As part of this, we have a proposal in place for our operations at our Stafford facilities which we are actively consulting with the Union about.

“As an outstation of our Cannock depot, Stafford currently operates 17 vehicles across nine routes, employing a maximum of 50 personnel. Having carefully assessed the commercial viability of these services following a difficult period which has seen some funding cuts and a drop in passenger numbers, the proposal being considered is to withdraw from some of the less utilised routes, and relocate the operation of others to our facilities in Cannock, where the engineering and management of the fleet is already undertaken.

“We held a meeting scheduled with our team based in Stafford on the evening of July 27, where we will share these plans in greater detail and fully address any subsequent matters arising from them.

“The wellbeing of these staff is of a paramount concern to us. However the full understanding of what impact this change plan will have on these individuals will only be known as we work through the consultation process.

“If there were to be job losses, we would, as part of the process, work with the Union and look to mitigate these as best as possible and within Arriva’s wider presence in the West and UK.”