Shropshire Star

Workers moving in to demolish ex-Shrewsbury bus depot

Workers were due to move in to Shrewsbury's former bus depot today to prepare the site for demolition.

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Workers were due to move in to Shrewsbury's former bus depot today to prepare the site for demolition.

The £200,000 job of pulling down the site in Ditherington is expected to be finished by mid-September.

The former Arriva Midlands depot has been empty since the bus company moved to a new £2.5 million base in Harlescott Lane. That site was officially opened on Thursday by Norman Baker MP.

The MP is the parliamentary under-secretary of state for transport.

Arriva's former home, which dates back about 80 years and housed the former Midland Red bus company, has been bought by Shropshire Council and will be demolished as part of plans to breathe new life into the neighbouring Flax Mill.

But although the revamp has received initial Lottery support worth £465,300, it has yet to get the £11.5 million needed to make the plans a reality. A bid for the money will be submitted within 18 months.

Alan Mosley, Shropshire councillor for Castlefields and Ditherington, said: "Many have welcomed the transfer of the operations to Battlefield and will now be delighted at the news of demolition which will lead to a further enhancement of the area.

"It also marks another step towards the Flax Mill Maltings masterplan and its regeneration impact."

Mal Price, cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said: "Work is due to start on Monday to prepare the former Arriva bus depot, the neighbouring Midland Red Social Club, and the nearby Rexel building for demolition.

"The buildings are to be completely demolished in readiness for the planned redevelopment of the Flax Mill Maltings site."

Work does not include the former Salop Glass building which now houses Flaxivity – the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings' young people's activity centre.

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