Demolition work begins at former Go North East Chester-le-Street depot

The Go North East depot in Chester-le-Street closed for the final time in September after serving County Durham for more than since before the first World War.

The depot, which first opened back in 1912 and was the company's first, employed more than 170 drivers and staff while dozens of routes were based there.

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But demolition workers have now moved in at the mothballed site after it hit the market last month.

Diggers were seen pulling down part of the structure this week.

The Echo reported in March how the 2.1 acre site went up for sale welcoming offers in excess of £1.95m. ‘For Sale’ signs are still in place around the building.

No planning permission has yet been submitted to Durham County Council for the site.

Last year the bus operator confirmed the closure of the depot after the Echo revealed rumours among its workforce that it would shut.

Demolition work is now underway at the mothballed site. (Image: WILLIAM WHITEHEAD/THE NOTHERN ECHO CAMERA CLUB)

At the time, the firm blamed the "financial challenges" brought on by the pandemic, changes to the economy and a recent pay claim from the union.

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But the news did not go down well and the firm suffered immense backlash from its workers, politicians, businesses in the town and residents.

As a result, drivers and the Unite union clubbed together to campaign to keep it open, threatening strike action unless the firm reversed its decision - or compensated drivers.

In August a compensatory package of £2,250 to existing drivers and a severance package for those nearing retirement was approved.

File photo. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

At the time a spokesperson said: “As has been reported in the local media, our Chester-le-Street depot will sadly close from September with all routes relocating to other depots.

“This is following our recent service changes, adapting to reduced use of bus services in some areas following changes to the way people work, shop and socialise.

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“The change also helps us manage the impact of rising costs and protects vital local services for customers who rely on public transport, recognising that it’s crucial to continue to offer a bus network that delivers for customers as the cost of driving becomes more expensive.

Work at the site this week, (Image: WILLIAM WHITEHEAD/THE NORTHERN ECHO CAMERA CLUB)

“We understand how attached colleagues are to the depot and to each other, however, we are a substantially smaller business now following the pandemic.

“We must therefore downsize the number of depots across the company, and reduce our overheads, to recover from our current loss-making position – this change is a major part of that recovery plan.”