Arriva Stafford depot to close

Arriva in the Midlands is consulting with the relevant trade union concerning plans to close its depot in Stafford as part of a restructure of its operations in the West Midlands. The facility is an outstation of its Cannock depot with 17 vehicles for the nine routes operated with 50 staff. Due to ‘some funding cuts and a drop in passenger numbers’, the company also plans to withdraw from some ‘less utilised routes’. Other routes operated from the site are due to relocate to the Cannock depot, where the engineering and management of the fleet is already undertaken.

Area MD, Rob Cheveaux, said, ‘We had a meeting scheduled with our team based in Stafford on the evening of 27 July, where we shared these plans in greater detail and fully addressed any subsequent matters arising from them. The wellbeing of these staff is of paramount concern to us. However, the full understanding of what impact this change plan will have on these individuals will only be known as we work through the consultation process. If there were to be job losses, we would, as part of the process, work with the Union and look to mitigate these as best as possible and within Arriva’s wider presence in the West Midlands and UK. We are committed to working with all those involved to ensure that any transition is as smooth as possible, and that under this new structure, bus users throughout Stafford will continue to benefit from affordable, quality transport services.’