Peterborough has taken a decisive step towards modernising its bus network after the Combined Authority Board gave approval to buy land in Fengate for a new electric bus depot at a cost of £5 million. The site under consideration is the former BCA car auction area at Boongate and is intended to replace the city’s current depot on Lincoln Road.
Why the move matters
Council and transport leaders say the new depot will allow the city to support an expanding fleet of electric buses, provide improved charging infrastructure and enable better route planning. The decision was advanced by members of Peterborough City Council together with the Combined Authority mayor, Paul Bristow.
“The current depot is poorly located and holds back regeneration on Lincoln Road and the surrounding area,”
The move is being positioned as a pragmatic response to longstanding concerns about the limitations of the Lincoln Road site, described by councillors as constrained by its location, small footprint and absence of sufficient charging facilities.
Local benefits and council views
- Regeneration: Freeing up the Lincoln Road site could allow redevelopment in a part of the city described in reports and comments as in need of investment.
- Environmental aims: A purpose-built depot for electric buses supports decarbonisation of local public transport and reduces local emissions.
- Operational capacity: The new facility will be designed to handle electric buses and the supporting infrastructure required.
Peterborough City Council leader Cllr Shabina Qayyum said she voted in favour of the purchase as leader of one of the principal transport authorities for the Combined Authority, adding that collaborative working had enabled the step forward. Cllr Angus Ellis, the council’s cabinet member for transport, emphasised the environmental advantages and the suitability of the Fengate location.
Next steps and local implications
With the land purchase now authorised, work can begin on the acquisition and subsequent development planning. Officials will need to progress detailed designs, secure funding for the depot build-out and plan the transition of operational services from Lincoln Road to the new site. The report accompanying the decision frames the project as a preparatory move for a potential franchised bus network in the future.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Proposed site | Former BCA car auction site, Boongate, Fengate |
| Purchase cost | £5 million |
| Current depot | Lincoln Road (limited size and charging facilities) |
Residents and businesses around both Fengate and Lincoln Road will be watching how the change is handled. Supporters point to improved local air quality and investment opportunities, while practical concerns will centre on timelines, traffic impacts during construction and the uses planned for the vacated Lincoln Road site.
The Combined Authority and council have indicated the purchase is an important early step to secure the right site quickly and to enable the city to invest in better transport infrastructure. Detailed planning and public consultation on the depot’s design and the future of the Lincoln Road location are likely to follow as the project moves from acquisition to delivery.
