21 Aug 2003
Arriva welcomes transport minister to Merseyside
Arriva North West and Wales today welcomed Transport MinisterTony McNulty to the site of the company's Birkenhead bus depotwhich is undergoing a significant rebuild programme.
Costing in the region of £5 million, the depot is due tobe completed in January 2004. The site will house 116 buses andwill be the base for a workforce of around 350, including drivers,and clerical and engineering employees.
Bob Hind, managing director of Arriva North West and Wales,said:
We are delighted to welcome the Minister to the site ofour new depot. The work currently being carried out is extensiveand will introduce new, modern workshop facilities. It will replacewhat was originally a tram garage built at the turn of the lastcentury.
Employees will benefit from the new redevelopment, as anew social club is included in the plans, as are refurbished restfacilities.
The development is a clear indication of our commitmentto Merseyside and we are grateful for the opportunity todemonstrate the progress of this to the minister.
Tony McNulty, parliamentary under-secretary of state for thedepartment for transport, said:
We need good integrated transport links acrossMerseyside and the contribution that Arriva is making in Birkenheadis key to this.
Ends
Note to editors
The original tram garage was built 100 years ago this year, in1903.