Hyde Road and Oldham Bus Depot Electrification, Manchester

Context and significance

Greater Manchester has set one of the UK’s most ambitious public transport targets: a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030. Central to it is the Bee Network, the city region’s integrated transport network, launched as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) brought buses back under public control. Three years ago, just 35 electric buses were in service. Today there are more than 500 – and every one of them needs reliable power to charge.

Willmott Dixon has completed £15.6m of electrification works at two existing, operational bus depots – Hyde Road in Manchester and Oldham town centre – procured through the SCAPE Construction Framework. The upgraded Oldham depot, operated by Stagecoach, received the Bee Network’s 500th zero-emission bus, a milestone in the region’s transition to cleaner public transport.

What we delivered

• 138 EV chargers across the two depots
• A new private high-voltage substation, together with low-voltage distribution
• Associated civils and builders’ work to connect the chargers to the network
• Works delivered within two existing, operational bus depots
• A 29-week pre-construction phase followed by a 35-week construction programme, January to September 2026

How this showcases our expertise

This is the seventh depot electrification scheme we have delivered for TfGM. Since 2023 we have completed two phases at Bolton and at Hyde Road, and single-phase projects in Ashton-under-Lyne, Middleton and Oldham – a programme totalling £40m that paved the way for the launch of the Bee Network. It builds on a long-standing relationship with TfGM, which also includes the transformational £140m Stockport Interchange, turning Stockport’s bus station into a modern transport interchange.

The programme shows what a framework partnership can achieve when it runs as a rolling series of schemes rather than one-off projects. Working through the SCAPE Construction Framework, with early engagement during pre-construction, we have brought the same team knowledge, supply chain and lessons learned from one depot to the next – helping TfGM to accelerate progress, ensure compliance and secure long-term value.

Electrification is power-intensive, specialist infrastructure. Delivering high-voltage substations, low-voltage distribution and charger connections inside working bus depots demands careful planning and close coordination with the client and operators, so that services keep running throughout.

As an Oldham-based business, we are committed to becoming a net zero carbon company by 2030 without relying on offsetting – and to helping our customers reach their own zero-carbon goals. TfGM’s ambition aligns closely with ours. Once the whole bus fleet is electric, Greater Manchester expects the transition to cut more than 76,000 tonnes of CO2 and 280 tonnes of nitrogen oxides every year.

What people say

“It’s fantastic to see another two bus electrification projects completed for TfGM, taking the number of projects we’ve delivered across Greater Manchester for TfGM to seven. We’re proud to have played a part in supporting the region’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable public transport network, creating the infrastructure needed to support the growing fleet of electric buses.

“As an Oldham-based business, we are committed to becoming a net zero carbon company by 2030, without relying on offsetting. TfGM and Greater Manchester’s ambition for a zero-emission fleet closely aligns with our own commitment to decarbonising our operations by 2030. Crucially, that commitment also extends to supporting our customers to achieve their own zero-carbon ambitions.”

Anthony Dillon, Managing Director, North, Willmott Dixon

“It’s great to see the depot in Oldham join the growing list of bus depots in Greater Manchester to be electrified. This means even more zero emissions buses can join the Bee Network and keep us on track to have a fully electric fleet by the end of the decade. This electrification work is a crucial part of our investment-led approach to improving air quality which is working. By taking old buses off our streets and keeping fares on the Bee Network affordable, we’re improving the experience of getting on board the bus for communities right across the city region.”

Vernon Everitt CBE, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester

“The delivery of seven bus depots across Greater Manchester demonstrates the positive relationship and strong collaboration between SCAPE, Transport for Greater Manchester and Willmott Dixon. Each project marks an important step towards a greener, net zero transport network for the people of Greater Manchester. Through the SCAPE Construction Framework, we have been proud to support the delivery of these projects, helping to accelerate progress, ensure compliance and deliver long-term value for the region.”

Caroline Compton-James, Deputy Chief Executive, SCAPE