Transport for West Midlands has submitted plans for a cutting-edge Electric Vehicle (EV) bus depot in the Birmingham suburb of Kitts Green, marking a significant step in a transformative overhaul of the region’s bus network.
The proposed depot will be situated on former sewage works land off Lea Ford Road and is designed to accommodate a fully electric fleet of 110 buses. Facilities will include overnight parking and charging stations, a bus cleaning building, maintenance workshops, administrative offices, and supporting infrastructure.
This initiative received the green light earlier this year from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Investment Board, with a total budget nearing £20 million. Birmingham City Council is contributing a minimum of £14.93 million towards the project.
READ MORE: DWP Council Tax Reduction Extended to Non-Benefit Households in England
READ MORE: Walsall Community Group Challenges Late-Night Hours Proposal for Merigo Peri-Peri Shop
The new depot plays a critical role in the wider strategy to franchise bus services across the West Midlands region. By taking ownership of key depots—including the recently acquired Walsall depot and others in Perry Barr, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Pensnett, West Bromwich, Acocks Green, Birmingham Central, and Yardley Wood—the authority aims to increase competition and improve service quality in a market traditionally dominated by a single operator.
Notably, the existing Birmingham depot serving this area has been sold for redevelopment by National Express and will cease operations by December 2027. The new depot in Kitts Green is expected to be operational by early 2028, with interim arrangements planned to maintain service continuity.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has described the current bus network as “failing” and argued that franchising empowers local authorities to have greater control over fares, routes, and timetables, ultimately benefiting passengers.
The planning statement highlights the strategic importance of the site, emphasizing the urgent need to replace the closing Birmingham Central Depot and address the shortfall of bus facilities in East Birmingham.