Edwards Coaches has completed the purchase of the former Park’s of Hamilton depot in Plymouth. It supports an extension of the Welsh operator’s commitment to the National Express network that began on 1 January via transfer of work previously handled by Park’s from the site. Edwards rented space there while the deal was finalised.
The premises support scheduled services to and from south west England, but do not have maintenance facilities. That will be handled by Edwards’ existing National Express depot in Avonmouth, with crewing optimised between the two locations to drive efficiencies.
Earlier in 2026, Park’s told routeone that it chose not to renew its contract with National Express due to factors relating to rates, vehicles, and mileage. The scheduled network accounted for 100% of Park’s work from Plymouth.
Edwards Commercial Manager Simon Ingham says the Plymouth base will broadly function as an outstation to turn around coaches and with staff sign on and sign off facilities. Part of it may ultimately be rented out.
He has acknowledged Park’s cooperation in completing the sale following the Scottish operator’s decision to end its commitment to the National Express network. Around 20 members of staff retained employment after the transfer of work. Park’s previously praised the “collaborative” approach of Edwards, noting that the process was “very smooth.”
With addition of the former Park’s commitments in south west England, Edwards now operates 88 vehicles for National Express, accounting for around 25% of the scheduled coach network.
Mr Ingham says that following the change, 10 Volvo Caetano Levante coaches from 2017 were returned to service as a stopgap until new vehicles arrive. No vehicles have moved from Park’s to Edwards.
The Plymouth outstation is involved with routes primarily between Devon and Cornwall and London, with some going further north. “There have been no significant material changes to the overall network through the move of work,” he notes.
