WORK to the bus depot in Weston-super-Mare is underway to pave the way for 24 new electric buses near the A370.

A spokesperson for First Bus said the new buses will “helping us to deliver more reliable services that are even better for the environment”.

The spokesperson also said: “Work on electrifying our depot in Weston-super-Mare is well underway, ready for the arrival of 24 new electric buses next year in the first phase of our mission towards a zero emissions fleet by 2035.

“The new buses will provide a comfier, quieter and smoother ride for customers, as well as helping us to deliver more reliable services that are even better for the environment.

“Later this month, work will begin on electrifying our depot in Hengrove where we'll be welcoming 74 new electric buses.

“The £59m project, which includes funding from the Government's Zero Emissions Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, has been made possible thanks to a partnership between us, North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority.”

Work on the two multi-million pound schemes in in Bristol (Hengrove) and Weston-super-Mare started last month.

Construction equipment has begun arriving at the Weston-super-Mare depot ahead of a £14.9million scheme, which will see the transformation of the two-football pitch sized site, just off the A370, and the arrival of 24 new electric buses on the Weston network next year.

The electric buses will carry passengers on the following routes:

• X1 (Weston to Bristol), X4 (Portishead to Bristol),

• 8 (Temple Meads to Clifton via city centre),

• 24 (Southmead Hospital to Ashton Gate),

• 70 (Hengrove to UWE Frenchay via city centre),

• 72 (Temple Meads to UWE Frenchay),

• 73 (Whitchurch to Bradley Stoke via Temple Meads) and 75/76 (Hengrove to Henbury/Cribbs Causeway via city centre).

• £44 million is being invested in electrifying the operator’s Hengrove depot in Bristol alongside launching 74 electric buses on the city’s network.