Irwell River Park
For many years now, the Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal led the resurgence of the waterfronts within the Regional Centre. Places such as Salford Quays, Chapel Wharf and Castlefield have been the focus of investment with award winning development.
World class hotels now sit along the Irwell's banks, waterside buildings are being converted into new homes, new businesses are locating to the riverside, and many of the most iconic landmarks of the cities - MediaCityUK, Imperial War Museum North, Manchester United Football Club and Spinningfields - lie along it or within easy walking distance.
Despite all of these exciting opportunities, the real potential of the Irwell to link the £3 billion investment that is already planned or underway, and most importantly the communities, places and opportunities that exist along its banks - has never been fully exploited. That is now changing through a new sub-regional partnership involving Salford and Manchester City Councils, Trafford Borough Council and key developers, regulators and communities.
A new and exciting £72 million urban river park is now being delivered that will transform the day to day workings of an 8 kilometres stretch of the Irwell creating:
- Connections between the employment and visitor centres that will enhance and increase economic connectivity and accessibility to support future economic growth;
- New premier public realm and place-making to reinforce and underpin the Regional Centre's economic and social resurgence, and strengthen its economic vitality, environmental quality and ability to attract substantial housing and commercial investment; and
- A sustainable continuous routeway and transport corridor from MediaCityUK to the heart of the Regional Centre and beyond that will contribute significantly to the creation of a single destination for businesses, residents and visitors.
Already complete is the new river fronted promenade at Imperial War Museum North linking through to MediaCityUK, new and enhanced routeways and links to the river through Ordsall and Castlefield creating more sustainable connections for pedestrians and cyclists, and new pathways, greening and wetland at The Meadows, adjacent to the University of Salford. New maintenance regimes are in place to protect investment, and a new litter boat now operates along the Irwell removing debris and litter from the waterway, operated by APEM Aquatic Scientists in conjunction with Salford City Council.
Further projects include a transformation of Riverside at Chapel Wharf in partnership with Bruntwood that will see new links to Spinningfields and Salford Central Station created; a new bridge connection between Spinningfields and Salford Central will be completed by March 2012, and there are approvals in place to enhance routeways and community gardens at Anaconda working with local residents which will start in November 2011.
As part of Irwell River Park's commitment to create a sustainable transport connection along it's 8 kilometres stretch, there are plans to widen cycleways underpinning IRP's designation as a National Cycle Route 556 by Sustrans, and establish water taxi landing provision at key sites to encourage sustainable river transport.
Planning guidance for the Irwell River Park project was developed in partnership with Manchester City Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and adopted in March 2008. For more information please see Irwell City Park Planning Guidance.
For more information on this project please below contact details.
Who to contact
- Name
- Elaine Davis
- Address
- Digital World Centre
No.1 Lowry Plaza
Salford Quays
M50 3UB
Map to this location - Telephone
- 0161 686 7420
- elaine.davis@salford.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 15 September 2011
