Derby Etches Park North depot officially opened

The new £22m Etches Park North depot, built specifically to maintain the fleet of  Meridians operated by East Midlands Trains,has been officially opened by Brian Souter, CEO of Stagecoach Group. Constructed by Spencer, the new 3 road maintenance facility is able to lift a complete seven car Meridian whereas before the train had to be split.

Speaking at the opening of the new depot, which is located adjacent to the recently opened wheel lathe shop, Tim Shoveller, MD of EMT, said: ” To describe this as a depot doesn’t really do the place justice. We’ve taken a vision and turned it into reality” Tim went on to say: ” Not once was there a delay to a London service as a result of the building work at Etches Park” A clearly delighted Brian Souter, chief executive of Stagecoach said: ” It’s great being in the rail business. It has a great past and a tremendous future.”

Brian Souter officially opens Etches Park depot. Picture: www.upmain.com