Former Bus Depot, Fishponds Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Historic Building Survey

Oxford Archaeology East was commissioned by Hill Partnership Ltd to undertake the historic building recording of a former bus depot on Fishponds Road, Hitchin. The work took place in July 2012 and was carried out in accordance with a Brief issued by Andy Instone of Hertfordshire's Historic Environment Unit. The survey was carried out to an equivalent of English Heritage Level 3.
The site comprises a former bus depot with associated single storey office/reception block which went out of use in 2009. Cartographic sources, in addition to the site survey dates the construction of the depot to the mid 20th century and the earliest evidence of the existence of the depot comes from the Hitchin Trade Directory of 1952. Cartographic evidence depicts the building in its current form by 1966.
The survey has revealed three main phases, all thought to have been been completed between 1952 and 1966. The major alterations to the original building comprise the addition of the single storey office/reception and a significant extension to the rear. Internally, there are a number of fixtures and fittings relating the building's history and use as a bus depot. These include testing equipment, sliding internal screens and layers of coloured paint on the walls that reflect the livery of the various bus companies which operated out of the depot throughout its history. Within the offices lockers and a large night safe are thought to be contemporary with the addition of the office/reception area.
There is a great deal of information available about, and interest in, the history of the buses and bus companies which operated from Hitchin and also surrounding the 1939 garage situated on Bridge Street; whilst there is little information about the depot in question, it is hoped that this survey has added to the record of Hitchin's transport history in the mid 20th century.