New headquarters for Blue Dart Transport
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• Blue Dart Transport's new Stakehill depot at Middleton, Lancashire, officially came into operation on October 14, for maintaining and servicing the company's 400-strong fleet of vehicles. Increasing traffic demand from both British Vita and non-group customers has led to such a large expansion of the Blue Dart fleet that the original Middleton facilities became inadequate. Close to Vita's Middleton factories a complete custom-designed complex of buildings covering over 26,000 sq.ft. is tailor-made to Blue Dart's requirements. Everything has been included, from high-pressure greasing to the latest type of rolling road electronic brake testing equipment.
Electrically operated sliding doors at each end of the building open to a covered parking area for vehicles, and the depot has eight repair and service pits with dual access through more electrically operated doors.
Three combined pits have an underfloor service area 30ft-long, 30ft-wide and 7ft-deep. Each of these three pits has an individual steel-mesh working platform running its full length to a height of 4ft 6in. below floor level .plus a 2ft-high inspection platform. Independent grease, oil and waste oil facilities are provided. An electrically operated hoist is fitted to the rear of the pit area to ensure easy, transportation of tools and drums, etc, from the underfloor working area. This area is designed to service eight tractive units or three long-wheelbase vehicles simultaneously.
The depot was declared open by Mr Charles Hodgson, North Western LA, Mr Bob Streater, managing director, said the depot was designed to maintain Blue Dart vehicles to the highest possible standards.