This section explores the depots that were used by Crosville.

Locations in alphabetical order are listed on the following pages where Crosville depots were situated. The history of the premises at that location will be found together with a link to a map to where it was situated and also a link to ‘Street View’ that shows what the area looks like currently.

For most of the locations there are photographs. One photo will initially be shown and dots underneath will indicate further pictures are available. These can be viewed by using the arrows to be found within the photograph box.

All of the Crosville depots are hopefully included together with most out-stations. There is no clear distinction or definition between a depot, sub-depot or out-station but it may have depended on how the premises were managed or sometimes whether the premises had maintenance facilities. Unfortunately not all places have been ascertained where a bus might have been kept overnight. These would have been in remote areas where it was convenient for a bus to be kept near to the address of the driver and would enable the company to minimise ‘light’ mileage.

Only premises that were established before the demise of Crosville Motor Services (in 1990) are included although some of the history of these depots with the successors of the company is given. Depots used by Crosville Wales are dealt with in the section at <<LINK>>.

In the very early days of Crosville a number of the depots away from Chester were actually hotels or more correctly the car parks or outbuildings of hotels. This was found by the Crosland-Taylor family to be an ideal place for housing vehicles, especially at the start of the service in that area.These hotels were usually close to the centre of the town and could be used as a terminus for the route and very often the locations were close to Railway Stations. Places where such hotels were used include Llandrindod Wells, Llanidloes, Llanrwst, Middlewich, Mold, New Ferry, Porthmadog, Pwllheli and Widnes.

A number of the premises that started to appear in the 1920s had a similar appearance and common construction techniques were to be found including the use of 'Robertson’s Patent Metal Cladding'. Another type of building was sometimes made from 'Marston Sheets' and these could be easily demolished and used when required at a different location. The company developed its own Architects section and employed the distinguished architect and surveyor Mr. Raymond Cecil Cowmeadow. A number of the depots used were taken over from purchased companies or in some instances when there had been a re-organisation within the group . This occurred in such places as Bangor, Denbigh, Holyhead, Llandudno, Llandudno Junction, Llangefni, Llanrwst, Macclesfield, Newcastle Emlyn, Northwich, Oswestry, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Rochdale and Wrexham. In most of these locations Crosville made substantial alterations and improvements to the depots over the years. There are a few examples where depots were shared with other companies. Newcastle-under-Lyme and Biddulph both with PMT for example.

The information provided in this Depot section is unfortunately not complete and there are a number of examples of missing information. The Webmaster would be very grateful to anyone that can provide additional information or offer comments on the accuracy of that provided. Please use the <<Feedback – Contact>> section.

You can browse the depots sequentially by starting in the 'A - B' section or look at a particular location by going to the appropriate page which are in the alphabetical order below:-

Acknowledgments and credits

A major amount of the information for this depots section has been obtained from the dedicated work of the late David Domin who produced the .mog (Major Operators Garages) series of publications which was undertaken in conjunction with the Omnibus Society.

I have also been very fortunate and privileged to have received help, assistance and valuable information from many friends, colleague enthusiasts and others. I am also extremely grateful for all those who have allowed me to use their photographs in this section. I apologise if I have missed anyone from the following list which appears in alphabetical order :-

John Baker, Bill Barlow, Malcolm Cowtan, Dennis Kerrison, Mike Lambden, Dave Lee, Chris Lodington, Keith Mason, Stephen Meredith, Tony Moyes, Noel Reed, John Roberts, and Pete Thorley.