Concerns have emerged over potential cost increases and delays in constructing a new bus depot in Birmingham. The West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Investment Board has approved the business justification for building the East Birmingham Depot, a facility with a capacity for 110 buses, located at Lea Ford Road in Kitts Green.
The project’s cost is capped at £19.93 million, with Birmingham City Council funding at least £14.93 million of that amount. This new depot is part of a broader initiative by the WMCA to purchase depots across the region, a key step in Mayor Richard Parker’s plan to transition the area’s bus network to a franchising model.
The existing depot serving this part of Birmingham has already been sold by National Express for redevelopment, making the new facility essential. However, Investment Board members expressed concerns, noting that previous major WMCA transport projects experienced budget overruns and delays. They worry these challenges might repeat with the new depot.
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WMCA officers assured that contingency plans are in place and expressed confidence in delivering the project on time and within budget. Walsall Council leader Mike Bird voiced his concerns about the project’s scale, noting a history of transport projects exceeding their budgets, comparing the process to the TV quiz show Mastermind—once started, projects tend to balloon beyond initial estimates.
Committee chair Peter Hughes emphasized the importance of timely delivery, warning against future requests for additional funding. Elliot Wilde, Head of Investment – Fleet, revealed that a 15% contingency is embedded in the budget, alongside opportunities to streamline the project scope if costs rise. He remains optimistic about managing the budget effectively through these measures.
The contract for the current Birmingham depot will conclude in December 2027, with the new facility slated to be operational by early 2028. This timeline implies a temporary solution will be necessary to maintain bus services in the interim. Nevertheless, Councillor Bird expressed skepticism about meeting the schedule due to challenges with land acquisition and planning approvals.
Responding to these concerns, Mr. Wilde highlighted the speed at which progress is being made toward securing planning permission. He noted that depot construction itself is straightforward and that consultations with other operators who have undertaken similar projects affirm the timeline as aggressive but achievable.