NWDA covers cost of joining up Quays
Funding for a new promenade planned at The Quays by Peel has been awarded by the North West Development Agency.
The project designed by FoRM Associates, unveiled last autumn, is aimed at improving links with neighbouring Trafford Park, Media City and the rest of Salford Quays. It will connect to the new footbridge currently being built across the Ship Canal opposite Media City.
Mark Hughes, executive director of economic development at the NWDA, said: "Traditionally, Manchester, Salford and Trafford have developed independently of each other so the links between them can be poor. This new promenade is an important step in creating better connections at a key regional site.
"By establishing a new link this investment will encourage the flow of people and further investment between key employment hubs and visitor attractions, promoting economic growth along the waterfront, and increasing competitiveness."
Better access should encourage extra footfall around Trafford Wharf and through to Trafford Park, the Lowry, Imperial War Museum North and Old Trafford football and cricket grounds.
Whilst I’m all for improvements to the built environment, such as this, surely the beneficiaries of the ‘ increased commercial activity’ could pay for this type of thing?? Surely the NWDA have other, slightly more pressing, claims on their cash?
By Bill Ding
This money and the "Quays Gateway" £3M roundabout improvements, would have been better spent on providing a road bridge rather than the proposed footbridge, as an additional link to the M60. Why do we need yet another footbridge anyway? As a Salford Quays based employee I am perplexed as to how Media City got planning without a new bridge / road link into Trafford Park. The existing road network in and around the Quays will have to cope with an additional 2500 staff many of whom I suspect will drive, given the fact that there are over 2000 car parking spaces on site. Factor in mid-week Manchester United home games and the whole place will become one big car-park.
By Anonymous