MARSH Barton has emerged as a potential new site for Exeter's bus depot.
Exeter City Council has confirmed it is investigating the feasibility of using the Matford park and ride site for overnight bus parking, paving the way for a planned redevelopment of the existing bus station in the city centre.
The Matford park and ride is the only one in the city which is owned by the city council, the others belonging to Devon County Council.
A spokesman for the city council said: "We are exploring the option of relocating the bus lay-up and garage to the Matford Park and Ride site as a solution to the long-term needs of Stagecoach.
"These are early explorations which would be subject to planning permission being granted and of course agreement with Stagecoach to relocate.
"Doing so would free up the leisure and bus station site for a more appropriate city centre development. The Matford option would allow the site to continue to be used for park and ride during the day."
Marsh Barton is the latest option to be explored by the city council. Two years ago the Echo reported that the council was suggesting two hectares of land at Exmouth Junction, off Prince Charles Road, be used for parking 200 buses overnight.
There are six hectares of land, surplus to Network Rail's requirements, at Exmouth Junction adjacent to Morrisons supermarket. Network Rail is marketing the land and while most of the surplus land was deemed suitable for housing the council considered some suitable for the parking of 200 buses overnight.
However, some councillors expressed reservations, saying they did not think some roads around the site could cope with that number of buses.
Mike Watson, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said: "We are working with Exeter City and Devon County Councils on finding a new home from which we can continue to operate our Exeter network, including our excellent park and ride services to each of the existing park and ride sites at Matford, Sowton and Honiton Road."
