BURY Interchange could be set for a multi-million pound makeover.

Town hall chiefs and officials from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are in early talks over the future of the transport hub.

Cllr Noel Bayley, Bury Council’s representative on the TfGM committee, told last week’s full council meeting that initial discussions were under way on “a more intensive use of the existing Interchange site”.

He added that “initial aspirations” were for a mixed-use development and to improve the pedestrian flow through the site and from the town centre.

Council leader Rishi Shori said the redevelopment would not happen overnight but the authority was keen to bring the upgrade to fruition over the next few years.

He said: “It’s at a very early stage in terms of planning work for the complete rebuilding of Bury Interchange, but it’s something that both myself and Cllr Bayley are actively pursuing with TfGM."

He added that the council was aware that the interchange acts as "a gateway into the town centre", for bus and Metrolink users.

He said: "It needs a complete revamp and that’s what we will be pushing for. It’s not going to happen overnight , but it’s something that’s absolutely on the agenda for the next few years.

"It’s something we are pushing for , we’ve had the redevelopment of Radcliffe bus station , which was £2m total, and we know it’s been a long time since money was spent on Bury interchange.

"What’s happened since then is the town centre has moved on with The Rock development etcetera and what could be done and should be done is the bus station should be completely revamped."

Cllr Short said that the council ultimately wanted to "offer a 21st century experience and gateway into Bury town centre" which the current interchange does not currently provide.

And he said that reconfiguring the interchange to improve traffic flow and offer park and ride facilities for those arriving from places such as north Bury and Rochdale would also be "a big part" of the the council's vision.

Simon Warburton, TfGM’s strategy director, said his organisation was working closely with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to ensure transport schemes met the needs identified through the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF).

He saidL "There’s no doubting that Bury is a key hub and we’re currently working with the council to consider how future transport services – from enhanced walking and cycling infrastructure through to emerging technologies – may change the nature of the interchange.

“This work is at a very early stage and, ultimately, the decision to upgrade Bury Interchange would be subject to the availability of necessary funding and sound business cases.”