First Solent – Portsmouth Depot

The First Solent Portsmouth Bus Depot on London Road, Hilsea, Portsmouth. This Bus Depot is also known as the Hilsea West Depot.

The Hilsea West Depot has a distinctive barrel roof but can only accommodate single decker buses as it has a height restriction of 12 feet (3.6576m). it opened in 1953 when it was owned by Southdown Motors Services Ltd the bus operator at the time.

In the May 2023 edition of ‘Buses’ magazine, it was reported that First Solent has unveiled plans to build a new depot immediately to the south of the former Hilsea East Depot on the other side of London Road.

The new depot is intended to house up to 90 electric buses which is an increase of 50% over the current depot and is due for completion in 2025/2026.