Council approves plans to electrify Bath bus depot at Weston Island

The proposed electrification of Weston Island Bus Depot in Bath has been approved.

The Weston Island bus depot in Bath | Photo © Stephen Sumner

To enable the transition from diesel to electric buses at the Lower Bristol Road site, First Bus will be installing 64 ground-mounted electric chargers and four overhead steel gantries, along with electrical substations in three different locations along the south boundary.

The planning application submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council said the works will involve “minimal change” to the current layout.

Buses will still access the site via the bridge, travel around the depot in a clockwise direction and go through the wash building each night.

As the depot will be electrified, there will be no need for fuelling so eventually the diesel tanks will be removed and the run-in at night will be faster.

An assessment submitted with the application said expected noise would be below the level at which harmful impacts are likely.

Council planners said the development has clear sustainability benefits for the wider community in enabling the electrification of the bus fleet and contributing to the generation of electricity from renewable sources (solar).

They said regard had been given to ensuring the proposal does not compromise existing levels of access for the Environment Agency, including the crane pad on Weston Island which is required should repairs or emergency works need to be carried out to Twerton Gate.

The scheme will result in a loss of three trees, but as mitigation, 11 common alder will be planted.

A sensitive lighting design will be secured by condition to ensure there is no additional light spill onto surrounding habitats.

First Bus has already carried out electrification works at other sites, including the Bristol depot at Hengrove Way.