Council moves out of Fernhill Depot

Bury Council’s highways and ground maintenance services teams have moved out of their Fernhill Depot.

This will reduce the number of operational bases the council has, protect council services and save around £100,000 a year. 

The highways maintenance service has relocated to Bradley Fold Depot, joining the waste management service, community safety, transport and workshops and catering and cleaning services. Grounds maintenance management has moved to an existing grounds depot at Bury Cemetery. 

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “With records indicating that the council first had a presence at Fernhill in the 1930s, this move does mark the end of an era, but it’s a new beginning too. We’ve made a range of improvements at Bradley Fold to provide the workforces there with a better working environment and by reducing our overall requirement for depots we’re set to save at least £100k per year.

“All in all, this move is a positive way forward for the council and its valued workforce. We have also taken on board the comments from local residents via consultation before works commenced at Bradley Fold. It’s a win-win situation.”

Fernhill Depot is in the process of being sold by the council and the cost of improvements at Bradley Fold and relocating the workforce there will be funded from the sale and existing budgets. 

Improvements at Bradley Fold depot include:

·  installation of entry and exit access control barriers for all vehicles;

·  construction of a new staff car park;

·  installation of a new weighbridge;

·  provision of a external storage area for all highway operations materials;

·  lighting improvements;

·  alterations to the existing stores to accommodate additional stock;

alteration and refurbishment of existing office space.

ENDS

Press release issued: 29 January 2014.