Consultation set for Salford’s Irwell River Park ambitions

Early plans have been unveiled for extensive development along the River Irwell, with an active travel route stretching five miles from Salford Quays to the city centre.

Salford City Council’s consultation will start on 23 September and will end on 4 November.

The city council aims to approve the finished plan by early 2025

The project, designed by landscape architect Re-Form, stems from the 2008 Irwell Park strategy.

Now the focus will be on improving pedestrian access to the Irwell corridor, a five-mile riverside route that will follow the Irwell through the city and eventually loop back with the river into Salford.

The goal is to create an active travel route for both pedestrians and cyclists.

The route will open a corridor between Salford Quays and the city centre, and will eventually reach Peel Park.

Over the years various aspects have been added to the project, such as the Aviva Studios footbridge and the enhanced connectivity between Spinningfields and New Bailey.

The waterside path has seen improvements but at points remains disconnected.

The completed project would see a pathway from Salford Quays through Manchester. Credit via Salford City Council.

The consultation period will last six weeks and there will be three drop-in sessions:

• 8 October: 4pm – 7pm at Salford Watersports Centre
• 10 October 4pm – 7pm at Sacred Trinity Church
• 26 October 11:30am – 3pm at Salford Museum

Cllr Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport, and sustainable development at Salford City Council, said: “The refreshed strategy for Irwell Park is so important. It will focus on making the River Irwell attractive, safe, and easily accessible from surrounding neighbourhoods and by public transport.

“Working with developers and other organisations along the river, our aim will be to use the strategy to seek funding opportunities and deliver positive improvement as well as creating a place that is resilient to climate change and encourages nature to thrive.

“This will very much be an asset for local residents, so it is important that they engage with the consultation process and I’d encourage people to share their views on the proposals.”

Ashton Hale is the planning consultants. Civic Engineers is the transport consultant. Counter Context is dealing with communications.

The public have been encouraged to contribute to the project and can do so on the Salford City Council website, starting on 23 September.