Electric buses on horizon as part of £1.8m scheme

The new electric buses will be supplied by Stagecoach and operate on the company's 17,18 and 19 services, connecting towns across the county

A fleet of new electric buses looks likely to take to the roads of Northamptonshire after plans to invest nearly £2m into the project were recommended for approval.

North Northamptonshire Council is expected to approve the allocation of £1.8m for eight eco-friendly buses at an executive meeting next Tuesday.

The vehicles will operate on Stagecoach services 17,18 and 19 and connect towns across the county.

If the scheme is approved, it is anticipated that the zero-emission buses will be in operation and ready to take passengers by next Autumn.

According to the plans, the buses will serve Kettering, Hanwood Park, Rothwell and Desborough, with extensions to Corby and Market Harborough.

Chris McGiffen, the council's executive member for highways and travel, said the scheme would improve public transport.

"On a practical level, this route has been chosen due to it being within the range of current battery technology and requires sufficient vehicles to justify the investment," he said.

'Clear benefits'

The money will come from the £2.5m awarded to the council by the Department for Transport as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan.

It is proposed that the council funds 75% of the additional cost of the electric vehicles and depot charging infrastructure.

Stagecoach will then contribute the remaining 25% and the equivalent cost of diesel buses.

"This is a prime example of how we intend to move forward with our Carbon Management Plan," said Martin Griffiths, leader of the Reform UK-led council.

"We're not stopping activity, we're looking at whether the activity is essential and provides costs or clear benefits.

"In this instance, we're proposing using funding available to the council to switch to an electric fleet on a vital and important bus route.

"This also aligns with our Big50 vision which see us rethinking how services are delivered to shape a future that is sustainable and forward-thinking."