THE soil has been broken on a project to build a new bus depot serving commuters in Swindon.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson was on hand to mark the beginning of work on a new facility by bus operator Stagecoach West at the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate.

The new depot will be larger than the current bus depot, allowing Stagecoach West to not only expand the bus network in and around Swindon, but employ more staff.

Also at the event was engineering director for Stagecoach West, Peter Sheldon.

Mr Tomlinson said: "I was delighted to join Peter and the Stagecoach team this morning to celebrate the start of construction work on the new bus depot at the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate.

"It's fantastic to hear that Stagecoach West will be expanding their network in Swindon, and crucially, this investment means more jobs for our town - building on the 8,100 that have been created since 2010."

Mr Sheldon said: “We’re incredibly excited that work has begun on the new bus depot, and that we were able to get MP Justin Tomlinson to come down and help us mark the occasion.

"We can’t wait for construction to be complete, and whilst we’re not expecting this to be complete and to have relocated until January 2016, we know that the local community will be happy with the improved depot, and so will those visiting from outside the area.”

For more information on Stagecoach West, visit www.stagecoachbus.com/west.