Bus firm's bid for new base

But Tanat Valley Coaches will still keep its head office at Llanrhaeadr in the north of Powys, where work is continuing to rebuild facilities after the fire there in November.

The planned new base in Newtown will replace the company's existing depot in Abermule.

Mr Nick Culliford, operations manager for Tanat Valley Coaches, said the company was applying to Powys County Council for planning permission to change the use of land on the Dyffryn Industrial Estate in Pool Road, Newtown.

It wants to form a coach depot for about five buses. The new premises would also include facilities for drivers.

"It will replace our current depot in Abermule and will provide a better base in that part of the county," Mr Culliford said.

He said it would not lead immediately to more jobs but the company was hoping to tender for more routes in the coming year.

Recently the company took over the operation of a service between Llanidloes and Shrewsbury, including Newtown and Welshpool, providing three new, low floor, easy-access vehicles for the route.

Most of the journeys are routed past the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, giving direct access for patients and visitors.

Meanwhile rebuilding and improvements at the company's main depot at Llanrhaeadr are continuing following November's fire.

Five coaches and one double decker service bus were destroyed in the blaze and another two severely damaged. Though the company's passenger services were not affected, thanks to help from other companies, temporary buildings have been in use while rebuilding has been taking place, said Mr Culliford.

"The building we lost dated back to the 1960s and our new enhanced facilities are much more suited to the 21st century," he said.

Tanat Valley Coaches currently has 70 employees but Mr Culliford said that sho-uld it be successful in being granted additional routes by Powys County Council this year, it was likely it would take on drivers employed by the current operators.

By Deborah Knox