Home for the Rangers – work gets under way on new Bideford depot

After eight years the Bideford Town Rangers are finally about to get a home of their own.

The Bideford Town Council maintenance team have grown out of the rented accommodation and work began in July on a new £500,000 purpose-built depot for them at Caddsdown Industrial Park.

The team was formed by the council in 2016 but the team has expanded, so has their work schedule along with the equipment needed to do the many tasks they complete about the town. 

The Rangers can be seen most days out and about in Bideford keeping it in good order, whether cutting grass, trimming hedges, planting and watering flower beds and planters.

Bideford Mayor Rachel Clarke formally broke the ground for the new Caddsdown facility at a ceremony in July and the depot is expected to be finished later this year.

Ms Clarke said: “The new facility will not only be a huge asset as a base for the team, equipment and vehicles, it means we can keep the three-tier town planters there over winter too, ready for planting up in the spring.  

“We keep as many plants as possible from one year to the next – this means we will have a proper facility to do this more efficiently and save money,

“The building has been in the planning stages for a couple of years and we wish to thank the Blight family (Country Cottage Bakery) who have kindly supported us with the acquisition of the land while we were waiting for the necessary permissions.”