Wakefield Council depot opens after delays and rising costs
The project to move to new premises in Featherstone was announced six years ago but was hit by delays and rising costs.
Wakefield Council has relocated its transport depot to a purpose built site.
The project to move to new premises in Featherstone was announced six years ago but was hit by delays and rising costs.
In February this year, the authority’s deputy leader said senior councillors were “frustrated” over the delay as they agreed to spend a further £1.9m to complete the project.
The council said the Phoenix 66 building, on Green Lane Industrial Park, was now fully operational and being used to service its fleet of vehicles, including vans, refuse trucks and ground maintenance vehicles.
The 1.6-hectare site has space for almost 180 vehicles.
Matthew Morley, the council’s cabinet member for planning and highways, said: “Phoenix 66 is part of our ongoing investment in staff and infrastructure.
“It’s a modern, purpose-built facility featuring new offices, staff rooms and workshop equipment.
“This is a key step in modernising our depots and supporting our teams to continue delivering high-quality, safe services for our residents.”
The authority said the extra capacity and state-of-the-art equipment would support front line workers across the district in delivering services to residents.
A statement said: “It also has the added benefit of increasing the number of people working and travelling through Featherstone town centre, boosting the local economy.”
In 2020, the council announced plans to move its transport services fleet from Newton Bar, in Wakefield, to a new site in Featherstone.
A decision had been taken in December 2019 to purchase Phoenix 66 for £7.6m to accommodate a range of council vehicles.
A further £4.8m was also set aside for a “fit-out of the building”.
A planning application was approved which included work to install lifts and ramps for vehicle maintenance along with other testing equipment.
Further repurposing work was also required to provide a reception, staff canteen, waiting areas, offices and storage space.
The scheme stalled due to the covid pandemic and a new contract for the work was arranged in 2023 but was then delayed further.
A report to councillors earlier this year said: “During the early phases of the build project, the contractor raised a number of issues and specific unforeseen works have been identified, including fire stoppages and compartmentalisation works, blockwork defects, steelwork defects and key infrastructure missing.”
Cabinet members were also told there was “insufficient budget” in the authority’s capital programme to cover the cost of the remaining works and a further £1.9m was required.
Council deputy leader Jack Hemingway said at the time: “We are all frustrated with how long this project has taken but we do need a brand new state-of-the art depot.
“We need to replace Newton Bar and get our people out of there into something more modern that will suit the needs of the district.
“This is something we have absolutely got to do.”
The council previously said Newton Bar was “no longer fit for purpose” and “in a poor structural condition.”