Go North East has applied for planning permission for a new purpose-built bus depot and ancillary support accommodation at Handy Drive, Metro Riverside in Gateshead.
The £7.7m investment would replace the company’s two existing facilities in Winlaton and Sunderland Road, securing 559 jobs with the potential to provide further, with expansion.
Go North East managing director Peter Huntley said: “This submission signals a hugely significant investment in Gateshead by Go North East and underlines our commitment to continue to provide jobs for local people.
“The new facilities will continue our CO2 reductions and make our operations even more efficient for customers.”
The new depot will be located adjacent to the Metrocentre Transport Interchange. Covering approximately 2.38 hectares the site will consist of 4,150m2 of workshops, storage, office, canteen, mess room and training facilities with external testing and bus fleet parking areas.
Work on the new depot, designed by TTH Architects, should start next year and be completed in 2013.
