We've received word that Stagecoach Manchester have agreed to terms to sell their Princess Road depot in Moss Side to Manchester City Council for demolition. This has been on the grapevine for several years but nothing had been heard recently. The news means an end to a historic part of Manchester's transport heritage. Originally opened in 1909 as a tram depot, it has been in use as a base for bus operations in the city for generations.
Times move on though. Moss Side is in need of regeneration and Stagecoach need a more modern depot. Having buses squeeze in and out of a residential street at the side of the depot throughout the day isn't an ideal situation. Apparently a new depot is planned in Sharston. This would be an ideal place operationally. Many of Stagecoach's Princess Road-based services start and end in the Wythenshawe area and it is well placed for the M56 motorway and Altrincham Road which links through to Altrincham and Stockport. It's also closer to the Parrs Wood and West Didsbury termini. Just think of all that mileage currently spent on sending buses up and down Princess Road to terminus points and driver changeovers.
The new depot is a good two years away yet, so you've still got a good stretch of time to get some final photographs if you're that way inclined.
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