Salford Crescent and university
The Crescent is the city's primary gateway into the regional centre from the west and is Salford's principal cultural and higher education hub.
The University of Salford is a world-renowned educational establishment and a source of great pride for the city. A new vision for the university campus has recently been unveiled; a new student village will provide on-site accommodation and round-the-clock campus activity, creating a vibrant and animated community. A new arts building will provide state of the art facilities for performing arts and media studies, leading to a revitalised Chapman Square. New and established campus buildings will be linked with a series of new and improved public spaces and routes to create a permeable, legible and welcoming campus environment.
General information on the university can be found through their website or you can view information specifically relating to campus plans.
The Salford Museum and Art Gallery is the principal museum in the city and is home to the local history library. The museum commissioned a masterplan for the future of the institution in 2007 with the aspiration of creating a national identity and enhancing its ability to hold events. The Salford Museum and Art Gallery will play a crucial role in the regeneration of the Crescent area and options are being explored to facilitate the delivery of some aspects of the masterplan.
A new Development Framework for the Crescent area is currently being developed, providing detailed guidance on the future development of the area to the south of the Crescent, the Frederick Road area, Crescent Station and the University of Salford campus. The Development Framework will provide clear guidance on the nature of development anticipated for each area, and draw together shared aspirations for a number of key sites and project areas.
What's happened so far?
The Crescent area has recently seen the completion of works to calm traffic volumes from Pendleton through to Oldfield Road and introduce enhanced pedestrian crossing facilities in the form of two new crossing points. The new ‘supercrossings' stop traffic in both directions, allowing users to cross the entire width of the road in one movement. Installed between Albion Square and the University's main entrance and Acton Square and the Peel Building, the crossings effectively meet demand for large volumes of users to cross the A6 quickly and safely.
What's next?
To supplement the traffic calming measures taking place along the Crescent (and linking to the calmed Chapel Street) a 20mph zone will be introduced alongside enhanced public transport and improved cycling facilities to create a calm and safe environment for residents, visitors and investors.
Further improvements to local infrastructure and transport are planned to improve Salford Crescent Station from 2012. The city council are working with Network Rail to deliver their preferred option for significant improvements at Salford Crescent Station. The plans include a new entrance and ticket office directly onto the Crescent, linked directly to extended platforms that will be able to accommodate longer trains.
From July 2011, linkages between MediaCityUK and the university will be improved by the commencement of the Salford Quays Link service. The route will also take in Pendleton's Shopping City in order to connect with wider bus services and run at peak times every ten minutes, and will run from Salford Crescent Station.
For more information on this project please contact:
Karen Hirst
Telephone: 0161 686 7411
Email: karen.hirst@salford.gov.uk
Deanna Walker
Telephone: 0161 686 7414
Email: deanna.walker@salford.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 23 August 2011
