NXWM’s bus depot relocation cost soars

The cost of relocating a bus depot in Birmingham to make way for the Commonwealth Games athletes village has more than doubled. Birmingham City Council originally put the cost of relocating National Express West Midlands’ Perry Barr bus depot and a Job Centre at £13.1m but now says the cost will be £28.8m. Of the £15.7m increase, £13.8m relates to the new bus depot. The council will meet the additional cost from capital reserves. “This cost has now been agreed with National Express and is no longer at risk of increasing unless there are additional costs incurred by National Express as a result of Birmingham City Council defaulting under the terms of the funding agreement,” says the council.