Trafford adopts plan to ‘future-proof’ Urmston
Focusing on a 27-acre chunk of at the heart of the town, a strategy has been devised to ensure Urmston retains its vitality in the face of shifting market dynamics around retail and usher in the next wave of regeneration projects.
The interventions set out in the Urmston plan, adopted by Trafford Council this week, are due to be delivered over the next 15 years and are the most significant changes proposed in the town since Eden Square completed in 2012.
While regeneration projects in Altrincham, Sale, and Stretford have gathered pace, Urmston, which is home to around 43,000 residents, has remained out of the spotlight for more than a decade.
Drawn up by AEW Architects, Avison Young, CWS, and Vectos, the Urmston Plan intends to change that.
The framework is aimed at guiding future policy, actions, and investment within the town centre and particularly around the confluence of Flixton Road, Station Road, Crofts Bank Road, and Railway Road.
The plan “is intended to future-proof the town as a viable, sustainable and dynamic place over the next 15 years…[and] assist in ensuring that Urmston best meets its full potential as a centre that serves the local community”, according to a report to Trafford executive.
Sites with potential for redevelopment mentioned in the plan include the former Urmston Market, where McGoff has consent for a mixed-use scheme inspired by Altrincham Market, and the former Trafford Council depot on Higher Road, which is earmarked for resi.
The former bank on the corner of Crofts Bank Road and Railway Road and the former Co-op Funeralcare on the corner of Station Road and Higher Road.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “The Urmston Plan is great news for local residents and businesses as it has created a positive vision for the town that works for the community and businesses.
“Trafford council is totally committed to improving all of our four town centres – Stretford, Altrincham, Sale and, of course, Urmston. The new Urmston Plan has been drawn up with the help of partners and residents. It will set a framework for the town centre to meet the needs of residents and businesses now and in the future and will form the basis to be able to apply for funding when it becomes available.”
The traffic is and continues to be horrendous since Peel built the Trafford Centre. Now Trafford Waters, and Therme. But very little thought for the infrastructure around it being improved. Shocking – all very well that there is to be a plan – you won’t be able to get to Urmston! Plus UU have still not sorted out the smell from the waste water site in God knows how many years of promising to! People call it Gurmston! Its not funny!
By Liz
Need a banking hob
By Anonymous
Please can we smarten things up, keep building in traditional black and white and no more ugly modern buildings that soon become outdated and scruffy and a waste of money.
By Angie
They need to completely rebuild the play area on Goldenhill Park. The slides are currently fenced off due to metal fatigue and the whole play area is an absolute disgrace. The bowling green has also been ruined because the council do not let proper groundstaff look after it any more. Happy to send anyone along to cut the grass occasionally. Green is covered in bare patches, moss and clumps of grass.
By Anonymous
Already Waiting years for redevelopment on market.
When ?
By Anonymous
Please fetch back the banks and less win bars more choice of shoe shops and clothes store we have enough bars to sink a ship have some common sense and think what u are doing to the community thank u i hope u read this
By Anonymous
A pop up banking hub would be useful. Urmston has a large ageing population. Many find driving to Altrincham difficult due to the lack of parking and are considering selling their cars. The Market redevelopment has been promised for years now and is an eye sore. Many of my local friends would like to see more independent shops that sell quality clothing and shoes. Some kind of activity centre is needed for young people and teenagers. Youth Centres were very popular in the 60s and 70s Many young teens have no where to go in Urmston, and the Trafford Centre can be over whelming and very busy.
By Carole Hughes
Very good but what about the FORGOTTEN area of Trafford, PARTINGTON it gets nothing from Trafford Council 1 doctors, 1 way in and out road a bypass that doesn’t bypass Partington but will bring more traffic into the area, and the building of more houses outstripping the local facilities.
By John
Get urmston market up and running again
By Anonymous
Firstly parking and driving on pavements needs to be stopped!!
By Anonymous
A lot can happen in fifteen years!!!
By Anonymous
Parking is the main issue
By Anonymous
The above details make no mention of removing shops and replacing them with flats or houses.
Will Urmston Centre remain as it is now, an excellent centre for shopping?
By Jan S
I was under the impression that the trafford council was almost bankrupt so where is the money coming from? Plus there are other areas that manchester forgot mmm all the so called no money syndrome suddenly apears and is spent only areas that are already blooming ? How’s about building the houses promised in carrington ? And also the useless slip road through carrington so the united players can get to training on time ? If this slip road goes ahead it’s no use bringing it out at saica plant it needs to by pass partington also due to the heavy traffic it takes nearly everyday one crash in lymm and urmston and all are stranded ? The road could carry on past into the fields in Warburton the rights are there already due to the HS2 land surely ?
By Paul wright
More banking hubs in stretford and urmston please..
By Anonymous
For all the people posting saying they want more high street shops, banks and market traders stop using the Internet for banking and shopping! It’s simple the traditional high street is dead as long as people continue to do their shopping and banking online.
By Anonymous
We don’t need more banks. Banks have been shutting retail stores for years – they’re not coming back! More residential above shops (should 6 storeys around the station) and a mixture of independant retail, cafes, bars etc. That, plus the market will keep Urmston vibrant and competitive. If people want a bank or a clothes shop, I’m afraid that boat has long gone for small centres like Urmston… online, Trafford Centre, or out-of-town retail parks is where people will go.
By Anonymous
Is it just a coincidence that this plan has been published just before the local council elections in May? From the comments below it would seem it has been needed for years.
Lots of potholes being filled also! Is it cheaper to fix them just before an election?
By Steve
You cant futureproof a town without a bankand some sensible investment in the empty bank buildings.Hope it idnt going to include sun loungers like Stretford !!
By Anonymous
Steve – It’s three months before the local elections so this announcement is hardly being made just before the election dates. My guess is that this announcement is being made now because the local authority is pulling together proposals in time for their budget cycle which need to be agreed in March.
By Anonymous
Never heard anybody refer to it as Gurmston. Think you’ve made that up Liz.
However they need to focus on relieving the traffic nightmare along Barton Rd going past the retail park up to the M60. Traffic queues winding back to the Nags Head & up to Hayeswater Circle at times, it’s ridiculous.
By Kent