Initially, the site of the depot was just outside the urban spread of Manchester; the area was used for brick manufacture.

[6][full citation needed] In 2003, Siemens was announced as the preferred bidder to supply and maintain a fleet of diesel multiple units for use on the TransPennine Express franchise.

[7][full citation needed][8] The depot was constructed on the 10 acres (4.0 ha) site over 13 months, being completed on 3 April 2006, at a cost of about £30m.

The designers were Burks Green; Taylor Woodrow were the main contractors; and NG Bailey and Atkins Rail were subcontractors.

[9] The depot's electrification was ceremonially opened by local MP, Lucy Powell, on 27 September 2013.