Birmingham Central Garage

[2206]

Just trying to think where in Kits Green area where would be a suitable location? Garretts green lane industrial estate. Also thinking out loud if they found big new locations in longbridge / kitts green. Could this be an opp to save more money and shut either, Yw or AG.

Would the land by the river on Lea Ford Road be big enough?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4880169,-1.778825,3a,15y,111.27h,85.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snw2-dWgGI3spkFJXcZNpkA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Granby Avenue has a lot of buildings on it already I think

[Stu]

Just trying to think where in Kits Green area where would be a suitable location? Garretts green lane industrial estate. Also thinking out loud if they found big new locations in longbridge / kitts green. Could this be an opp to save more money and shut either, Yw or AG.

Kitts Green appears to be mainly residential, the only possible suitable place I can think of is the Garretts Green Industrial Estate. But then you'd need a fairly decent sized unit(s) to become available.

[SO6597]

Presumably a home will need to be found for the services BC operate in the south of the city too? Pershore Rd, Bristol Rd, University and Harborne corridors seem ideal for a location in Longbridge for example. Lots of land being developed there.

[winston]

Presumably a home will need to be found for the services BC operate in the south of the city too? Pershore Rd, Bristol Rd, University and Harborne corridors seem ideal for a location in Longbridge for example. Lots of land being developed there.

It's already confirmed in Tony's Facebook post that one new depot site will be located at Longbridge

[SO6597]

It's already confirmed in Tony's Facebook post that one new depot site will be located at Longbridge

I see, thanks for that. I'm not on Facebook - is there any detail as to where exactly?

[winston]

I see, thanks for that. I'm not on Facebook - is there any detail as to where exactly?

The below link was posted by '2206' 4 messages above yours in this thread #6058:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1227786634022033/permalink/2321316228002396/?comment_id=2321327431334609

[ellspurs]

Would the land by the river on Lea Ford Road be big enough?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4880169,-1.778825,3a,15y,111.27h,85.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snw2-dWgGI3spkFJXcZNpkA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Granby Avenue has a lot of buildings on it already I think

That's part of Kingfisher Country park. Very much doubt they'll let them build a bus garage on there.

The main spots I could see would be either on Garratts Green industrial estate (around where the DVLA test centre is), or off Mackadown Lane, close to the Claribels Garage.

Unless, with the quieter vehicles now in operation, they're allowed to requisition the old Lea Hall garage back!

[SO6597]

The below link was posted by '2206' 4 messages above yours in this thread #6058:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1227786634022033/permalink/2321316228002396/?comment_id=2321327431334609

Thanks, I saw that but it would've helped if I'd read the replies! Much appreciated 👍

[2206]

That's part of Kingfisher Country park. Very much doubt they'll let them build a bus garage on there.

The main spots I could see would be either on Garratts Green industrial estate (around where the DVLA test centre is), or off Mackadown Lane, close to the Claribels Garage.

Unless, with the quieter vehicles now in operation, they're allowed to requisition the old Lea Hall garage back!

Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure as it looks to be fenced off from the main river area.
It was said Lea Hall won't be reopened as it is by houses and built for operations 70 years ago.

[winston]

Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure as it looks to be fenced off from the main river area.
I think it was said Lea Hall won't be reopened as it is by houses and built for operations over 50 years ago, etc.

NX don't own Lea Hall anymore, it was sold off to a clothing recycling company. After sale, NX did lease back a portion of the depot to house the reserve fleet for a time, but they were auctioned off & Lea Hall cleared some years back.

http://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=2595.0

[Gareth]

Even if Lea Hall was still owned and useable, the future of the fleet looks like hydrogen buses playing a part. Hydrogen buses cannot be stored inside. I imagine we'll see changes to much of bus garage infrastructure over the coming years. Maybe certain areas of the West Midlands being electric areas (like Coventry) and other being Hydrogen areas maybe the new Perry Barr and BC successors)

[monkeyjoe]

The Lea hall depot should be made into housing. Long ridge I can see, does anyone else they might shut yardley wood or acocks green. I know it's speculation but would make sense if these new super locations came into place.

[DJ]

Would the land by the river on Lea Ford Road be big enough?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4880169,-1.778825,3a,15y,111.27h,85.42t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snw2-dWgGI3spkFJXcZNpkA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Granby Avenue has a lot of buildings on it already I think

It's already been mentioned that that site wouldn't be suitable, but out of curiosity, I measured it using an online tool, and it's just over 11 acres, so more than triple the size of BC, not taking into account the car park across the road.

[Stu]

Hydrogen buses cannot be stored inside.

Is that true?

I know it's speculation but would make sense if these new super locations came into place.

Tony has previously stated that NX are not planning any 'super-garages'.

Though I have previously speculated that depending on how big these new sites are, there could be potential to close down one (or even both) of Acocks Green or Yardley Wood, with a bit of clever 'jiggery-pokery'.

Tony obviously knows more than I do  ;D so it may just be the case that the 'big' Birmingham Central garage gets replaced with two smaller ones, but with the capacity to grow if needed.

[Tony]

Is that true?


Tony has previously stated that NX are not planning any 'super-garages'.

Though I have previously speculated that depending on how big these new sites are, there could be potential to close down one (or even both) of Acocks Green or Yardley Wood, with a bit of clever 'jiggery-pokery'.

Tony obviously knows more than I do  ;D so it may just be the case that the 'big' Birmingham Central garage gets replaced with two smaller ones, but with the capacity to grow if needed.

Hydrogen buses can be stored inside, as long as they haven't got any hydrogen in them. They have about a 15 mile range without fuel, so can be drained when they come in for work to be done.

The Longbridge site is going to be joint NXWM & NEAT, but the NXWM part will be smaller than BC.