New electric buses for North Northamptonshire
The council has approved the use of government funding
North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has approved the use of government funding to buy ten new electric buses for routes across the area, despite disappointment that a Kettering scheme will be moved to the back of the queue.
The council’s executive approved the allocation of £1.2 million, using external funding from the Department for Transport, for the eco-friendly buses. These would cover the X46 and X47 routes, which run between Northampton, Earls Barton, Wellingborough, Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Raunds.
Cllr Steve Geary (Green, St Peter ward) said he welcomed the ten new buses, but raised concerns that Kettering had been “lost” in the scheme, despite it being a “key hub” for the area.
In September last year, the administration agreed to provide up to £1.8m towards eight electric buses and associated depot infrastructure for the Kettering, Rothwell, Desborough, Corby/Market Harborough route, which would operate on Stagecoach services 17, 18 and 19. Stagecoach has since reviewed its plans and said it is now unable to invest in electrification at its Kettering depot until 2029/30.
The change in route now makes use of the Northampton depot, which has already been partially upgraded for electric vehicles. NNC added that the X46 and X47 services primarily operate in North Northamptonshire and account for around 20 per cent of bus journeys in the area.
The total cost of the project, including the ten double-deck vehicles and five charging points, is £4.25m, with £3.05m to be met by Stagecoach.
Highways and travel executive member, Cllr Chris McGiffen (Reform UK, Pemberton), said that as the current project is cheaper than the Kettering scheme, leftover funding will also be used to expand real-time information for bus services and further upgrading of bus stops.
Cllr Elizabeth Wright (Reform UK, Raunds) said that the scheme would “help modernise public transport” for residents and that she was “particularly pleased that people in my ward will begin to see the benefits of the investment as the new vehicles are introduced on local routes”.
It is anticipated that the electric buses will enter service by Summer 2027.