Northampton gets £9.4m to bring in electric buses in 2026

Electric buses are already in operation at places such as Oxford Brookes University

A town is getting £9.4m from the government to introduce electric buses.

More than 50 of the vehicles will be used on routes across Northampton from 2026.

The project is expected to result in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions in the town, which has six air quality management areas.

West Northamptonshire Council described the funding as "a real game-changer in our work towards net zero".

It will help operator Stagecoach purchase 51 vehicles and comes as part of the second wave of Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas, known as Zebra 2.

The Conservative-run council's award was among the largest to any of the 25 schemes that received a share of £143m in Zebra 2 grants.

North Northamptonshire Council submitted an expression of interest in the funding but was not included in the final list.

Phil Larratt from West Northamptonshire Council said the buses would be a "game-changer"

Phil Larratt, West Northamptonshire Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "Electric buses are not cheap, and the costs are such that Stagecoach would not have been able to invest to this level without support."

"This will be a real game-changer in our work towards net zero and improving sustainability across West Northamptonshire."

Air pollution in Northampton has led to protests by climate campaigners

The new buses will serve a variety of routes across Northampton including Ecton Brook, Kingsthorpe, Duston and Camp Hill.

The project was expected to save 76,708 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 27 tonnes over a 17-year period, the council said.

The new buses and charging infrastructure costing around £28m will now be commissioned and are expected to join the Stagecoach fleet by late 2026.

Stagecoach Midlands managing director Mark Whitelocks said the funding was a "really positive step forward"

Mark Whitelocks, managing director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: "This is a really positive step forward in helping to reduce carbon emissions and deliver cleaner air for those in our communities, building on the funding already made available to support bus services through the £2 fare cap."

The Zebra scheme has suffered some setbacks. Hertfordshire County Council was awarded £6m toward 27 battery-electric single-deckers to be operated by Arriva in Stevenage, but the company pulled out of the project, citing low passenger numbers in the area.