Salford mayor calls for ‘urgent review’ of Ralli Quays

Despite being approved by the city council’s planning committee in January, Paul Dennett is calling for LGIM’s hotel and office scheme to be redesigned in a bid to preserve a section of the River Irwell towpath. 

The Ralli Quays project, which proposes the creation of a 212,000 sq ft office and a 280-bedroom hotel, would result in part of the current riverside walkway being lost.  

As it stands, this section of the Irwell path is only partially accessible to the public, having been stopped up due to safety concerns. 

A campaign to protect this part of the walkway from being lost completely has prompted the Department of Transport to launch a public inquiry into the matter.  

In a statement published yesterday, Paul Dennett said work was being carried out to “develop an alternative to the current proposals”. 

“My default position is and always will be to protect public rights of way wherever possible,” he said. 

Please find below an update from myself with regards to the public right of way issue at Ralli Quays. We should always endeavour to protect our public rights of way wherever possible, which is why I’ve asked @SalfordCouncil officers to look anew at development proposals.👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/WjVN3IkyVn

— SalfordMayor (@salford_mayor) August 22, 2022

“Following the planning committee’s decision and briefings with officers, I have requested that plans be urgently reviewed with developers to ensure that if there are any development alternatives to stopping up the route they are being fully explored. 

“If there is a feasible option to retain public access, we will find it and work with partners and stakeholders to develop an alternative to the current proposals”. 

Speaking at the planning committee meeting in January, Dr Morag Rose said the loss of the footpath would amount to “social cleansing” as the footpath is often used by homeless people. 

“Enclosure is not a compassionate or appropriate response to homelessness,” she said. “Our Irwell should be for everyone. Please don’t allow it to be annexed.” 

Following Dennett’s statement, Rose took to Twitter. 

“Public space matters, the river is our common treasury and we shouldn’t sacrifice it for private profit,” she said.