TOWN hall bosses will press ahead with plans to redevelop the old Moor Lane bus station, after agreeing to acquire the site.

Council leader Cliff Morris gave his approval for the authority to take ownership of the land last week, following its closure in September.

The hub had served Bolton’s bus passengers since the 1930s, but has now been replaced by the modern £48million interchange in Great Moor Street.

Once the remains of the old station have been demolished, the site is expected to be turned into housing as part of £1billion plans to overhaul a number of areas in the town centre.

'Bon voyage' - the last journey from Bolton Bus Station in Moor Lane

A council spokesman said: “We are progressing with this acquisition as quickly as possible.

“The demolition of the existing bus station structure will take place in the near future and we are looking at options for hoarding the site prior to its redevelopment.

“This site is earmarked for housing and mixed uses in our town centre masterplan.”

ALL ABOARD: £48million transport interchange open for business

The town centre masterplan states that the Moor Lane site could house new food and retail offerings as well as housing, although student accommodation is not expected to be built on the land.

The masterplan, which earmarks the bus station redevelopment for between 2018 and 2020, states: “The former bus station is seen as an opportunity to reinforce the image of the town’s historic fabric.

“A gridded structure creates a number of compact development plots, with the opportunity to locate a mix of active uses at ground level.

“Each block is envisaged as a residential development, with a degree of flexibility in terms of the target market, which could include student accommodation. There is potential for parking that will service the masterplan area, connecting directly with a new market square.”

A TfGM spokesman said: “We’re working with the council to confirm timescales for demolition of the bus station buildings prior to redevelopment.”