PLANS for a two-year bus replacement programme are set to benefit Bury.

Diamond North West, under its parent company Rotala, acquired the Bury and Bolton interests of First Manchester at the end of June.

Several commercial routes in Bury, including the 472 and 474 services to Ramsbottom, and 511 and 524 buses to Bolton, were included as part of the package.

As an interim measure, Rotala agreed to lease 125 vehicles from First, to maintain services, also including 14 Bolton routes.

But by the end of summer 2021, the entire fleet looks set to be overhauled.

John Gunn, company chairman, said: "These vehicles will be replaced progressively up to 30 June 2021 with more modern vehicles and the leased vehicles will be returned to First by that date.

"The directors estimate the capital expenditure to be incurred over that time period in the re-equipment of the business will total approximately £26m, which will be financed using the group’s existing panel of providers of hire purchase finance facilities.

"However, once fully in place, this capital expenditure programme will have equipped this business with all of its replacement vehicle requirement for at least the next decade."

He is also confident that the £5.3million deal, with includes smaller sites in Atherton and Eccles, will pay dividends.

Mr Goodman added: “After London, Greater Manchester represents one of the largest bus markets in the country, on a par with the West Midlands where Rotala already has a notable presence."