Seventy new electric buses will be arriving in Norwich this autumn as part of a multi-million-pound investment in greener vehicles.

And work has started to convert First Bus Eastern Counties' Roundtree Way depot into an all-electric depot, which will make it one of just three of its kind in the country, outside of London.

The new electric buses - 11 single-decker and 59 double-decker buses - will be made by Northern Ireland company Wrightbus.

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The buses, which will save more than 60 tonnes of tailpipe emissions each year, are due to be delivered to the depot starting this autumn.

Work has begun at the Roundtree Way depot to convert it so the new fleet of buses can be charged up and maintained there.

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Norwich Evening News: The First Bus Eastern Counties depot at Roundtree Way in Norwich is being made all-electricThe First Bus Eastern Counties depot at Roundtree Way in Norwich is being made all-electric (Image: First Bus Eastern Counties)

Piers Marlow, managing director at First Bus Eastern Counties, said: "A major transformation of our depot has started, and we are working closely with the site construction team to minimise any disruption to our day-to-day requirements to operate bus services efficiently. 

“There are exciting times ahead for public transport in Norwich, and I am pleased that First Bus are leading the way and part of this extremely important partnership with Norfolk County Council."

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First Bus has invested £22.5m into the new fleet, while Norfolk County Council secured a further £14.7m from the government's Zero Emission Bus Regional Area scheme.

Norwich Evening News: Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transportGraham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Newsquest)

Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport at the county council, said:  "This work is an extraordinary boost to our ambitions to run a net-zero transport system in Norfolk.

"With the start of this work, we’re proud to be able to say that Norwich will soon have one of the biggest full electric bus depots in England, outside London."