From the Manchester City Council website:

Broadway Malyan appointed to realise Irwell City Park vision

International design company, Broadway Malyan, has been appointed as a result of a competitive pitch to deliver the vision for Irwell City Park, as part of the high profile second stage of the application to the BIG Lottery Fund.

One of 23 UK projects shortlisted by the BIG Lottery Fund Living Landmarks programme, Irwell City Park plans to revitalise the River Irwell and create a vibrant urban park at the heart of the regional centre, running through Salford, Manchester and Trafford.

Seven design companies submitted proposals, responding to a brief to demonstrate their ability to translate the major redevelopment plans into an unrivalled design proposition. The panel were particularly drawn by Broadway Malyan's creative flair, integrated approach and strong international pedigree.

The project will be driven by Patrick Berry, Eddy Fox and James Rayner of Broadway Malyan’s urbanism team, who will work closely with Peter Fink of Art2Architecture. Other key consultants include Gifford, Davis Langdon LLP and Andrew McCarthy Associates, providing expert advice on transport and structures, costs and procurement, and ecology respectively.

This news follows the appointment of project managers and consultants, Buro Four, who have been selected to manage the delivery of the stage two BIG lottery living landmarks application on behalf of the Irwell City Partnership.

Led by Salford and Manchester City Councils, Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company (URC) and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council (The Irwell City Partnership), this announcement is another key step in this landmark proposal to open up the Irwell through the creation of a new and thriving urban park with exciting waterside public spaces that will help to create stronger, healthier and more active communities.

A real opportunity to help drive the regional economy, generate tourism and build on the region's cultural assets, Irwell City Park is a high impact business proposition. For this reason, the region's major developers and businesses along the waterway were invited to a forum to have their say on the proposals.

The event, which took place last month, demonstrated united support behind the project from the development sector and resulted in the nomination of Bruntwood to sit on the project board and provide a private sector perspective.

Commenting on the Irwell City Park plans, Leader of Salford City Council, Cllr John Merry said: "The appointment of Broadway Malyan is a key milestone in this exciting project. With their industry expertise, we aim to realise this powerful vision and create a fantastic urban park that will highlight the connectivity of Salford, Manchester and Trafford."

Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "We look forward to Broadway Malyan bringing forward an inspirational vision for Irwell City Park. The Irwell is a currently underused asset which has dramatic potential to make the surrounding area an even better place in which to live, work and relax."

Trafford Council Leader Cllr Susan Williams said: "We are in competition with 22 other major projects to win lottery funding for our dream to develop Irwell City Park so our entry has to be spectacular and, above all, build on the support from local people in Trafford, Salford and Manchester.

"These designers showed us they have the flair and commitment to succeed as well as an understanding of what the park could be for our citizens."

Chris Farrow, Chief Executive, Central Salford said: "Salford is being transformed into a beautiful, vibrant and prosperous place and this project has the potential to deliver a major boost to the city. We are looking forward to working alongside Broadway Malyan to realise the Irwell City Park vision."

Media contact
Natalie Lewis, tel 0161 793 3410, fax 0161 793 3234

sounds good. if tis happens (which i hope it does), does anybody know exactly how close this will come to the city centr itself? I, assuming it will run up to the salford side of the irwell and maybe a bit into the south of the city centre?

Sounds very exciting. By all accounts this lot did a good job on the Maidstone River Park...

http://www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/digitalmaidstone/images/Rivmap.jpg

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/C93001AF030D8FBBABF2BACBB6D35B5A.jpg

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/C932625302EDB57DB4B369C84833C8C9.jpg

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/C931B53F0AD85C9B7206A17F7DD2E1BF.jpg

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/C9310339036841E5EA1817BB95B88F55.jpg

Where is this?
Is it not to the west of where the Old 'Manchester' racecourse used to be?

I'm not sure, but the place where the three council boundaries meet is by St.Georges Island (the lump of land that has the irwell/ship canal on one side, and the bridgewater canal on the other, which appears to be currently undeveloped, so I'd think that would be a prime candidate as waterside is mentioned

http://www.chapelstreet.org/press_detail.asp?ID=108 - stakeholder meeting @ lowry centre 13/12/06

This would be a linear park linking the city centre and the quays. It originally went by the catchy title of ‘The Irwell Riverside Walkway - Connecting Two Great Cities’. Don’t know a great deal about the plans as such, but I do know that a ‘landmark’ bridge is included.

It is one of the short listed projects for the Living Landmarks money. Essentially it's £140m of lottery to be awarded in chunks of upto £50m. Decisions on which project gets the money will be made in two ways, firstly by a panel of regeneration and architectural experts. Secondly by viewers of an X-Factor style show to be screened on ITV next year.

It’s up against some pretty stiff competition, including an extension to the Eden Centre in Cornwall, a Robin Hood Centre in Sherwood Forrest and a Titanic Centre in Belfast (all of which are far higher profile than the Irwell and I assume they will have popular appeal across the country in any TV vote).

These Broadway Maylan Plans you post information about today will have been funded by the feasibility money awarded to all short listed schemes to work up plans ahead of the May submission deadline. Funding decisions should be known in Autumn 2007.

See here (http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_080806_ll_uk_projects_inch_closer?regioncode=-sco) for further info.

Wherebouts isit is it near pomona

I had no idea all those schemes were clamouring for the same pot of cash; some pretty high profile and well publicised stuff on that list, I think in a TV popularity contest we wouldn’t have a hope against some of the more popularist.

Having said that, the scheme its self would obviously be very welcome.

I'm fairly hazy on the details, but as I understand it a a single prize of upto £50m will be chosen by the ITV phone in, the remaining £90m will be allocated by a panel of experts and boffins.

I guess the lottery being the lottery there will be something a regional dimension to the funding allocation as well, so if the Blackpool Waterfront project is funded our chances are very slim and vice versa. If we get the money it is likely that no other North West project would succeed. But all speculation at this stage, we will have to wait and see what happens in the next 9 months.

Just a thought on the TV vote. If I'm honest I'm not sure the Victoria Baths were worthy winners of the Restoration Prize two years ago but a MEN-led campaign had its effect. There's no doubt that the Greater Manchester populus can be mobilised in some force in this sort of exercise since the Games.

Although I'm all in favour of greater democracy in decision-making I think this show biz approach to the spending of public money is taking things too far and is in danger of producing the Development equivalent of the lamentable Scottish singers we see on X-Factor.

I like the idea of public participation, even though it does present problems.

And I thought the McDonald brothers were really good. I hope to see them on mtv sometime soon.

http://www.irwellcitypark.info

Nice one Jourdan

Image from said website:

http://www.salford.gov.uk/river-irwell-large.jpg

If we can integrate this riverside walkway into a rejuvenated Chapel St/Peel Park, then we have ourselves an instant solution to the city centre park problem discussed at length on this forum over the last couple of years.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4373/chapelsthc5.jpg

Lets just hope the lottery gods are shining on us in 2007.

A significant green space that penetrates the very core of our city. Anybody fancy joining me in setting up a cycle hire business in an arch underneath Exchange Station?

The number of people working on this bid to mark sure that we win it (failure isn't an option) numbers in the couple of hundreds I was told this week.

Glad to see IN Salford are using their resources wisely and not neglecting front line services in the pursuit of some cockamamie lottery dependent project (which wont come to anything anyway).
Even if this does happen IN Salford will demolish it in a few years time anyway and build something shit on it.

I meant private sector, using lottery provided funds.

Thats alright then!

I think?

That looks nice Potato Man. ^^

I raelly should of realised Irwell is pretty much down the road from me. It's right next to uni aswell. Sweet.

Would be smart if Ordsall Hall could be reconnected to the river in the process, only there's an industrial unit or something between them. The hall could be a major asset to Manc/Salford/Trafford, but few people have ever seen it due to its location.........me included.

I raelly should of realised Irwell is pretty much down the road from me. It's right next to uni aswell. Sweet.

Its that big wet thing just outside your window knucklehead!:ohno:

I hope you arent studying English by the way (or have just had another heavy weekend?).
I suppose you dont have to be clever to to do 3D design though - look at b1mmy!

Its that big wet thing just outside your window knucklehead!

I know. But I always walk around that area, never through it. Parks aren't really something I'd wank myself to sleep about before bed anyway, so thats probably why I skipped the thread untill I clicked the link to it accidentally :)

I hope you arent studying English by the way (or have just had another heavy weekend?).
I suppose you dont have to be clever to to do 3D design though - look at b1mmy!


My English teacher was scouse!

Yes, you do have to be clever. It's title is quite a babe magnet an all.

"I study Digital 3D Design"

...

"ohhhhHHH that sounds so intresting. You must be well clever!!"

...this is one of the many conversations I get into these days with young tail theather. It's a great pick up line "So what you studying then?", it really really is.

Parks aren't really something I'd wank myself to sleep about before bed anyway,

S'funny, cos i do.:nuts:


Yes, you do have to be clever. It's title is quite a babe magnet an all.

"I study Digital 3D Design"

...

"ohhhhHHH that sounds so intresting. You must be well clever!!"

...this is one of the many conversations I get into these days with young tail theather. It's a great pick up line "So what you studying then?", it really really is.

I'm filling my application form in for next year as we speak! :horse:

I'm filling my application form in for next year as we speak!

If you like, I can drop you the names of a few study books to help you on your way? You will be ripped off though.

If you like, I can drop you the names of a few study books to help you on your way? You will be ripped off though.

Books? what will i need them for?
I would only do the course to impress birds.

If you like, I can drop you the names of a few study books to help you on your way? You will be ripped off though.

^^ How's the course going for you mate, got onto the computers yet?

Incidentaly, this is birmingham's proposal for their city park:

http://i14.tinypic.com/33mo2t0.jpg

Books? what will i need them for?
I would only do the course to impress birds.


No, Longy, they make you look intelligent. For me? they made me more inteligent than I already was...

How's the course going for you mate, got onto the computers yet?

Incidentaly, this is birmingham's proposal for their city park:


Yes. Your not allowed to use any version of max though, it has to be 6, or it wont work on ande's or any of salford's computer's. Salford dont like updating software to a reasonable recent version you see. Ive been using 9. I've handed in work over chrimbo that he wont be able to open up and asses not knowing. He's going to chop my balls off in January. I'm going to get mightly stoned over this period to try and forget about it.

I've got to say, I really like the look of Brum's effort. Spanking.

I've got to say, I really like the look of Brum's effort. Spanking.

Ditto

Will there be a public vote on Mcr's park or will Broadway Malyan sumit a single proposal? Do you know the timetable? (It won't be that long because the ITV programme is in Oct 07 I think).

The Mcr park sounds good - a green lung connecting Salford & Mcr - should drive up property prices too ;)

How are the council committed to this? For example BCC have said that the park will get built, but in stages rather than one fell swoop that would happen if we won the TV comp. The s106 stuff from Eastside should pay for that.

Let battle commence! (But in a nice way :) )

God! I hope we don't win this. We'll never here the last of it. :rant:

Latest news, information and promotional DVD.

http://www.salford.gov.uk/river-irwell-large.jpg

Here comes the water bus

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/796.$plit/C_71_article_1002755_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg

COMMUTERS could take the plunge in the Irwell River under ambitious plans to turn the waterway into a £33m city park.

Amphibious buses which drive off the road and onto water are part of the proposals to create a bustling and cosmopolitan waterside community to rival Barcelona.Regeneration chiefs also aim to bring in catamaran taxis which would help those living and working along the river banks to travel around to workplaces and amenities.

The plans would complete the transformation of the Irwell - which was Europe's most polluted river during the industrial revolution.

Trafford, Salford and Manchester councils have joined forces for the first time to work on the groundbreaking project which hinges on an application for a £25 million lottery grant.

The scheme is one of 22 bidding for the money and the decision will not be announced until October, but detailed plans have now been drawn up for the park, which runs from the Manchester Ship Canal and into Salford.

Focussing

Elaine Davis, Project Coordinator, said: "I am not thinking about losing at the moment. We are just focussing on putting in the very, very, best bid that we can."

The scheme has already received £450,000 of Lottery cash for the bid, which is being submitted on May 31. If successful, work to build a seven-mile boulevard-style walkway stretching from Salford Quays to Manchester University and featuring new lighting, seating, parks and cyclepaths, could start next year.

A lack of inner-city green spaces will also be addressed, with the development of the under-used 100-acre Peel Park behind the university, and a series of new bridges would be built across the Irwell.

Bosses at the project eventually hope that Irwell City Park will encourage some of the Northwest's top developers, including Peel Holdings, LPC Living and Urban Splash, to invest millions in the area by 2025.

But Mrs Davis warned that private developments will be sympathetic and of a consistent design.

She added that the project would have a positive impact on some of Greater Manchester's most deprived communities.

"We are trying to encourage people to have more healthy and active lifestyles and it is essential that we move forward change in this area," she said.

"It is all about empowering local people."

Consultation

More than 18,000 local people have provided their comments as part of a region-wide consultation - and, according to the people behind Irwell City Park, residents have offered their, "overwhelming support."

Trafford Council Leader Coun Susan Williams said: "This project could put the river back at the heart of our communities.

"But our entry has to be spectacular and, above all, build on the support from local people in Trafford, Salford and Manchester."

But Lucy Burton, of the Mersey Basin Campaign, which works to improve the Northwest's waterways, warned that the Irwell's water quality, currently rated as "bad" by the Environment Agency, needs attention.

Irwell City Park video. Slick.:)

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/regeneration/irwellcitypark/thevision/irwellcitypark-video.htm

Irwell City Park website.

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/regeneration/irwellcitypark.htm

It's not a UK North bus is it? :ohno:

Anyone seen the Polish Captain? :sly:

The bus leaving for Ireland will depart Old Trafford in 10 minutes. ;)

On a serious note. Why isn't there a catamaran service from Ireland to OT on Match weekends?

http://www.ferrycheap.com/images/ferry_po_irish.jpg

You could fill the rest of the seats with shoppers wishing to go to the Trafford Centre.

I'll give Malcolm a call and ask him to built a jetty next to OT.

I'm puzzled as to why they've put a picture of a prison on that map.

Bloody green eyed jrb, don't forget how many hotel rooms our Irish support invest in, your lot just walk in, hense the reason the COMS is half empty! Its all about being global and thats our 'unique' contribution to the conurbation. PS, and your also sulking because you aint got no river.....so gloat,gloat and gloat from the posh side of town!

Surely between the two councils, and all the section 106 money from developers who will/would benefit massively from this, it could be done anyway without having to go cap in hand to the rest of the nation, that already perceives Manchester as "having had its share"; spread over a few years in the grand scheme of things its not a huge amount of money.

That video is terrible, how does having the brain deads of the city saying "I didn’t know there was a river" help a bid, makes it sound like no one could care less.

I'm puzzled as to why they've put a picture of a prison on that map.

I would take a wild guess that its a map of landmarks, and that most certainly is one. What difference does it make that its a prison? There is no point being snobby about things that exist; should all the less desirable districts of the city be left off maps as well, so no one has to face up to their existence?

We've got no chance, thank fuck.

Is it just me or does it just look like paths and a bit of grass? Hardly makes the hairs on the palms of my hands stand on end.

I still think Birmingham's plans look way cooler

http://i14.tinypic.com/33mo2t0.jpg

Surly the bid will include the plans for the regeneration of Central Salford, Pomona, Salford Quays and Mediacity. I can't see the councils of Manchester, Salford and Trafford putting the bid forward with those proposals included.

The difference being. Birmingham's proposal is confined to a small area of the city centre. Our proposal stretches from Central Salford, through the city centre and onto Salford Quays/Mediacity. It's a massive Proposal which will benefit the centre of Manchester and the surrounding areas.

In the Observer today... Gimmick, anyone?

Is it a bus or a boat? Well, it's both


Sunday March 25, 2007
The Observer

Amphibious buses that can be driven on the road and in the water are part of plans to create a bustling cosmopolitan waterside community in Manchester.

Catamaran water taxis could also be used by people living on the river. The £33m scheme would complete the transformation of the Irwell, once Europe's most polluted river. Susan Williams, Trafford council's leader, said: 'This project could put the river back at the heart of our communities.' The buses would also enable fans to take the river trip to Manchester United's Old Trafford ground.

If the plan gets through, Manchester would not be the first city to have floating buses. Seattle has them, as does Montreal.

In the Observer today... Gimmick, anyone?

Ask again in a week.

hmm very nice! Can't see it happeneing anytime soon though.

I think the riverbus project is called RiverLink, Peel and GMPTE are something to do with it. Will try and find the website I found the proposals on a few years back.

Is it just me or does it just look like paths and a bit of grass? Hardly makes the hairs on the palms of my hands stand on end.

I still think Birmingham's plans look way cooler

I agree with you on both counts, our scheme just looks like things the councils are obligated to do anyway.

http://www.queeryouth.org.uk/photopost/riverlinktop1.png
http://www.queeryouth.org.uk/photopost/riverlinkbottom1.png

Blimey! So Peel weren't neccesarily talking cobblers when they did all those press releases about water buses to the trafford centre? Having to sift out what they really intend to do from stuff John Whittaker thought up while he was on the loo can be exhausting sometimes...

Iwould take a wild guess that its a map of landmarks, and that most certainly is one. What difference does it make that its a prison? There is no point being snobby about things that exist; should all the less desirable districts of the city be left off maps as well, so no one has to face up to their existence?

Yes

I think this is going head-to-head for funding with the new City Park in Birmingham's Eastside.

Park plans must be spectacular

April 9, 2007

Plans to create a seven-mile boulevard-style walkway along the River Irwell from Salford Quays to Manchester University featuring parks, cycle paths and even water taxis will be submitted next month.

Plans for the proposed Irwell City Park, with a total price tag of £33 million, will go before the Big Lottery Fund and backers are hoping to secure a crucial £25 million lottery grant.

The park would bring together the cities of Manchester and Salford, along with the borough of Trafford, all of which are bordered by the River Irwell.

With the lottery bid pivotal to the park’s future, councils from the three areas have co-operated on the application as never before. It’s hoped that the scheme would fuel regeneration along the river and attract millions of pounds in investment.

One proposal is for amphibious buses, which could drive off the road straight into the river, speeding commuters or tourists between Manchester city centre and Salford Quays.

New bridges would be built across the river and new lighting and seating installed.

Proposals also include the development of the under-used 100-acre Peel Park.

Project co-ordinator Elaine Davis said: "I am not thinking about losing at the moment. We are just focussing on putting in the very, very, best bid that we can."

Around 18,000 local people have provided their comments on the plans as part of a wide ranging consultation - and, according to the people behind Irwell City Park, residents have offered their, "overwhelming support."
Trafford Council leader Cllr Susan Williams said: "This project could put the river back at the heart of our communities.
"But our entry has to be spectacular and, above all, build on the support from local people in Trafford, Salford and Manchester."

The scheme is one of 22 bidding for the lottery money and the decision will not be announced until October.

If successful, work would start on the park next year.

http://www.merseybasin.org.uk/press.asp?id=1629

If they buy it, i can see the marriage of two cities idea swinging this thing towards us.

Even if we won this, I cant see the bus-boats being very practical. There just arnt enough attractions at the quays to allow them to be profitable IMO.
Sounds cheesey but....

-An large observation tower (not a doomed half hearted one either)
-Boat rides (pedal boats, very small engined boats for the lads)
-More bars
-Clubs
-A popular music venue
-A zoo? :D

I dont know

If the councils put there heads together and didnt rely on hand-outs as much, a GENUINE tourist spot could exist in Manchester.
As it stands, it's just another few things to maybe see, but 4 miles away from the rest.

http://london-tour.conciergedesk.co.uk/images-tours/frog12.jpg

Did anything ever come of that feasibility study the Central Salford URC commissioned looking at a major new tourist attraction for the Cen Salford area? I think it had a tag line along the lines of 'the not an aquarium study'.

Wonder if the Irwell linear park is the outcome, or if something else may be lurking in the wings (although that said, with all the other grand plans CenSal has, I doubt the budget could support a major new attraction).

don't know if this has been mentioned all ready, but Salford CC turned down the planning application to convert the site of what is now Vanguard Textiles (on Ordsall Lane) into flats/mixed use development citing the Riverside Park. They must be pretty confident of landing it...

BBC NW News this morning.

Apparently it's been shortlisted.(?)

Will look fab around Greengate!

Walk on water at Irwell Park
Neal Keeling
24/ 5/2007


IT is the ribbon of water that divides two cities - and now there are plans to transform its banks into a spectacular city park.

The River Irwell was turned into a filthy running sore during the Industrial Revolution, as factories and warehouses sprang up along its banks.

But its image of being a `dark and sinister moat' that keeps apart Salford and Manchester could soon change spectacularly.

Next week, the two cities and Trafford council will submit a bid for £33m of lottery cash to turn the river into a city park.

The park scheme is one of 23 projects short-listed for Lotto cash. A decision is due in the autumn.

If successful, as these exclusive images show, it would transform the waterway with a seven-mile boulevard-style walkway from Salford Quays, through Manchester centre, to Salford University.

Signs of regeneration are already springing up around the river, with highlights including The Lowry Hotel in Salford - linked to Manchester by the stunning Trinity Bridge - and the Spinningfields area.

As part of the city park plans there would be attractive public spaces along the route and new bridges, lighting, seating and cycle paths. Amphibious buses, which drive on the road and in water, are part of the plans.

Local people have contributed their ideas, including children from The Friars primary, in Salford. Headteacher Pat Arnold said: "We've been really involved in the consultation and pupils have been inspired by the project and created their own pictures of how they envisage the park to look."

Salford council leader John Merry said: "We are confident that this is a strong bid, backed by incredible support from the community, who share the belief that Irwell City Park will unlock the potential of the river and create a wealth of cultural, leisure and business opportunities."

Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "The proposals for Irwell City Park are ambitious and imaginative in their scope but they are entirely deliverable.

"The Irwell has the potential to be a fantastic asset at the heart of our city, enhancing the connections between Manchester, Salford and Trafford."

Trafford council leader Coun Susan Williams said: "This has the potential to set this area and region apart from the competition."


http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/948.$plit/C_71_article_1007654_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?

Will look fab around Greengate!



http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/948.$plit/C_71_article_1007654_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?

Looks great from that image, Choggers ...... stretching the imagination a little calling it a "park", maybe?

This bid for lottery cash will go head-to-head with Birmingham's City Park. Good luck to both cities!!

Looks great from that image, Choggers ...... stretching the imagination a little calling it a "park", maybe?

This bid for lottery cash will go head-to-head with Birmingham's City Park. Good luck to both cities!!

Are Brum and Mcr the only proposals in the running FLD?

No there's 23. I haven't seen any of the others but I wouldn't hold your breath about getting this. It seems a bit naff to me. Is like they've (quite rightly) decided to have a go at getting this money but could only come up with a mediocre project thats doesn't really deserve it.

Fair play to them, as ever they're really pushing for for it, but the money would probably be better concentrated on something smaller that would more people would see the benfits of.

Those raised gardens some of you have been talking about would be more inspiring, if there's a suitable viaduct to put it on. Especially if they're proving it can be done it new york. It'd be a much better tourist attraction than miles of pathway along sporadically spruced up brownfield sites. It'd be shorter with a higher concentration of pretty things and a more novell concept.

Most people who don't usually walk along riversides still aren't going to be enticed into walking along riversides. Its too much of a niche appeal to make its money's worth.

33m ,,,,,Manchester Salford and Trafford should pay for it anyway ,, end of .

Those raised gardens some of you have been talking about would be more inspiring, if there's a suitable viaduct to put it on. Especially if they're proving it can be done it new york. It'd be a much better tourist attraction than miles of pathway along sporadically spruced up brownfield sites. It'd be shorter with a higher concentration of pretty things and a more novell concept.

Most people who don't usually walk along riversides still aren't going to be enticed into walking along riversides. Its too much of a niche appeal to make its money's worth.The high line in NY runs through a dense, urban city central loaction, we dont have anything that compares. Thats not to say that I dont think some of the abandoned track bed out of Victoria shouldnt have something done with it. We dont have a pretty riverside suitable for ambling along; a raised walkway would be a pleasant novelty, but a waste of money and effort.

33m ,,,,,Manchester Salford and Trafford should pay for it anyway ,, end of .
Yup, have said that all along, this is piss all to the councils if they paid for their respective strips; aside from this elevated section in town most seems to be pretty basic work that they will have to do at some point regardless. Lets not be seen to be begging to have our back yard swept.

Report to MCC's executive outlining proposals for the City Park. Of particular interest is some new images and description of the proposal for some of the spaces in Central Manchester.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/localdemocracy/committees/executive/current/0530/Report%2001.pdf

Report to MCC's executive outlining proposals for the City Park. Of particular interest is some new images and description of the proposal for some of the spaces in Central Manchester.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/localdemocracy/committees/executive/current/0530/Report%2001.pdf

Thanks Sleepy!

MASTERPLAN

Irwell City Park is a project of exceptional scope and ambition. In effect,
it is not a park in the conventionally understood sense of a public
greenspace, but in the broader senses of the word: a space within a
city, closely integrated into its fabric, yet distinct and separate from the
dense urban context; a multi-faceted recreational resource which will
be populated and animated in innumerable unpredictable ways; a place
for meeting, gathering, celebrating, demonstrating, entertaining and
meditating. Irwell City Park is also a CITY park in the sense that it is an
integral part of a tight knit urban fabric and a place that will provide new
linkages and a new sense of cohesion between different and often
disparate parts of the city. As well as providing new places and spaces in
its own right it will draw together a multitude of existing places within
Manchester, Salford and Trafford into a coherent whole.

The masterplan breaks down interventions by 6 zones and is designed to
comply with all of the criteria set down by the Big Lottery Fund.

Zone 1 - The Meadows
A major new park for Salford within a 10 minute walk of Manchester
city centre. With its twin across the river, Peel Park, the Meadows will
create the largest greenspace area in the centre of Greater
Manchester. The Meadows aims to develop a complementary
character and function to its elder and more traditional sibling.

Zone 2 - Anaconda
This zone is seen as a transition between the busy urban centre to the
east and the major greenspace hub of the Meadows/Peel Park and
Salford University to the west. It is a more open, tranquil stretch of the
route and will provide important improvements in the connectivity to
centres of amenity for residents of Lower Broughton and Blackfriars.
The aim is also to provide a visually more attractive and diverse
experience along the route, by improvements to the top of the rather
bleak flood defence embankments.

Zone 3 - Heart of the City
The Irwell in this zone runs through the dense and dynamic core of the
Greater Manchester conurbation. This stretch of the river is the most
challenging in terms of technical complexity, accessibility and
fragmented ownership. However, the area also presents some of the
greatest opportunities for the park. The river, through most of this zone,
is within a stone’s throw of many of the cities’ major shopping areas,
nightlife and entertainment hubs, public spaces and visitor attractions,
and yet it goes almost unnoticed for most of the people living and
working in the central area, or visiting it for the first time. Greater
visibility and access to the river was seen as critical to the scheme in
order to draw in some of the life and diversity of the thriving urban
centre. The aim is not only to provide a route but new ways of
approaching and experiencing the river and a new sense of the river as
a focus, rather than as a backwater.

Zone 4 - Castlefield
A key aim of Irwell City Park is to improve access to the cities’ industrial
heritage and strengthen awareness of its significance. This zone
encompasses a number of iconic landmarks of industrialisation such as
the Stevenson Bridge, Bridgewater Canal, and others of significance
for their impressive scale and grandeur such as the railway viaducts
known as the St George’s Arches. The adjacent Museum of Science
and Industry is a nationally significant museum and its collections cover
numerous aspects of the cities’ historical development, yet it currently
has little connection to the river and a lack of information or exhibits
relating to the Irwell or other waterways, so important in the cities’
history.

Zone 5 - Pomona-Ordsall
This stretch is of significance as a vital transition zone between Salford
Quays and the central urban areas to the north. It is also significant in
its proximity to the Ordsall community, currently separated from the
river by a belt of private, industrial and commercial development in
mainly poor condition. Ordsall Hall, one of the most important historical
buildings and visitor attractions of the area, is within a hundred metres
of the river but without any visual or physical connection. The main
aims for this section are to provide a much enhanced section of route,
suitable for shared use by cyclists and walkers, and to improve the
access points to the river from Ordsall Lane, to improve linkages
across the water between the two sides, and to open up a new
connection between the river and Ordsall Hall. The Pomona side of the
water appears to offer the opportunity for substantial new public spaces
as part of its redevelopment and the remaining dock offers in addition
the opportunity for a public space focused around the water, and
potentially as a location for secure moorings for boats using the river.

Zone 6 - The Quays
It was established early on in the process that the southern end of the
park must link in to the existing focus of activity around the Lowry and
Imperial war Museum North. This in addition, is adjacent to the future
Media City site. Drawing in these centres of dynamism and providing
linkages to and from them is an essential aim of the park.

Key Manchester Projects

As has already been described, Irwell City Park as a whole will bring
enormous benefits to the regional centre and therefore to the City of
Manchester. There are a number of specific projects within Zone 3 –
The Heart of the City – which would be particularly significant in terms
of the City itself, and the perception and use of spaces and vistas
which are currently underexploited. These projects are outlined in the
following three paragraphs.

Cathedral Walk A dramatic suspended walkway will snake over the
river and through the urban canyon formed at this stretch of the Irwell,
linking Chapel Wharf on the Salford side to Cathedral Square. This
proposal will become a truly iconic feature of the park and transform
the experience of the river and the city at this crucial point of its course.

Cathedral Square and Greengate Bridge – Where today a wide, busy
road separates Manchester Cathedral from its once intimate
relationship with the Irwell, and cuts the river off from one of the busiest
hubs of activity in the city, a new square will be created. This will
extend the area of high quality public realm around Manchester’s
historic heart right up to the river’s edge. A new footbridge will link
directly across to the Greengate regeneration area, which is set to turn
the medieval heart of Salford back into one of the focal hubs of the city
and re-establish the historic connection between the two cities across
the river at this point.

Albert Gardens and Trinity Square – Twin spaces have been
proposed facing each other across the river at this strategic point,
adjacent to the Albert Bridge. With the aim of establishing visual
linkages across the river and complementary focuses of life, the
walkway widens out to create curvaceous decks over the river. These
twin spaces will also re-establish contact with the river itself and
maximise the sense of connectivity between land and water. They will
form breakout spaces for the large numbers of office workers in this
professional hub of the city. Adjacent on the Manchester bank, the
proposals aim to improve the poor access to the iconic Trinity
Footbridge, encouraging more movement across it and helping to
enliven the spaces on both sides. On the Manchester bank, this will be
linked to improvements in Trinity Square, including a raised, shared
surface pedestrian link, which will create a much better direct
pedestrian route from Deansgate to the river. Trinity Square itself will
become an important gateway to the park.

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/5483/untitled4wk7.jpg

This park would be a long bleedin' walk for some....

There's some good stuff in there but I reckon the cathedral walkway just compounds the problems with that stretch of the river, which is that its hemmed in by buildings, high retaining walls and bridges. There's a similar stretch of suspended walkway over the River Don in Sheffield, and it's a bit nerve wracking to use, partly because you're twenty foot above a river that's still in need of a bit of a makeover and partly because once you're on it, there's no way off apart from going forwards or backwards. It's difficult to see it being useable say at night time. I'd rather see the money spent on land purchase to allow views of the river to be opened up (like they're suggesting around Albert bridge and Trinity Bridge). It's good to see hints being dropped about making Ordsall Hall visible from the river, not least because the implication is that someone at SCC is thinking about buying the Vanguard Textiles site (a site with obvious commercial value) and then turning it into high quality public space. That's be a leap forward in terms of what the local authorities think themselves capable of achieving in terms of providing public amenities.

I'm not clear on the detail but someone at work who lives in one of the ex council houses in Ordsall (or Quay 5 as she likes to call it!) said that Vanguard are definitely relocating.
SCC have probably already bought it in preparation.

There's some good stuff in there but I reckon the cathedral walkway just compounds the problems with that stretch of the river, which is that its hemmed in by buildings, high retaining walls and bridges. There's a similar stretch of suspended walkway over the River Don in Sheffield, and it's a bit nerve wracking to use, partly because you're twenty foot above a river that's still in need of a bit of a makeover and partly because once you're on it, there's no way off apart from going forwards or backwards. It's difficult to see it being useable say at night time. I'd rather see the money spent on land purchase to allow views of the river to be opened up (like they're suggesting around Albert bridge and Trinity Bridge). It's good to see hints being dropped about making Ordsall Hall visible from the river, not least because the implication is that someone at SCC is thinking about buying the Vanguard Textiles site (a site with obvious commercial value) and then turning it into high quality public space. That's be a leap forward in terms of what the local authorities think themselves capable of achieving in terms of providing public amenities.


Todays banner above shows how even a small stream can be made to look much bigger and nicer simply by widening and lowering the banks. Unfortunaltly this would be unviable in most of the city area of the river however when the opportunity arises the most should be made of it. In the mean time however there needs to be some walkway through the narrowest parts and that walk way is certaintly better than some path right under the shadow of the buiildings.

I'm not clear on the detail but someone at work who lives in one of the ex council houses in Ordsall (or Quay 5 as she likes to call it!) said that Vanguard are definitely relocating.
SCC have probably already bought it in preparation.

No they haven't. The idea is that some of the land will be developed with the central part of the parcel running from the hall to the water, landscaped and turned into public realm.

I've seen the plans and what this doesn't show is that the submission will include 3 different options depending on how much money the project receives. The Manchester briefing reflects the option where all the money they want becomes available, but there are scalable plans (which inevitably means bits will be dropped).

For all the doubters, the plans are amazing. Some of the best bits aren't even mentioned on here!

Not sure it's been posted yet?

Irwell City Park Planning Guidance

http://www.salford.gov.uk/icp-planguidance-web.jpg

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/planning-policy/planguidance/icp-planguidance.htm

I've been looking into this and unless I've misread something then the Living Landmarks Big Lottery scheme will have two funding streams.

One will be decided by a public vote to receive a single award between £25 and £50 million. This is NOT the stream the Irwell City Park scheme has been entered into. The entrants for this category were whittled down to four today.

The section our Irwell City Park will compete in is NOT decided by a public vote and is being assessed with 23 others by a programme committee that includes members with experience in architecture, regeneration and the environment.
In November they will make decisions on which projects will be awarded the grants ranging from £10 to £25 million.

So assuming the first funding stream pays out the maximum of £50 million that leaves £90 million for the others which should mean several getting the go ahead.

This bodes well with Manchesters track record in bidding for this type of thing. We should know in approx a months time. :banana:

If it gets the go ahead which I hope it does, may be nice to start canal boat rides down from Salford through Manchester down the Quays. Could be a nice touristic little thing and help link the growing city together more. Anyone heard of any plans for something like this? Where do you think stations/stops would be best placed?

There already are a couple of boats that do this already. One is a canal boat that you can dine on, bit tatty and naff and the outlook isn't that nice at the moment. The oldies seem to like it though. Another one is used to ferry from the city centre on match days and is a "disco" boat for hire at night.

I read on here a while back that Peel have ordered nine hydrofoils to provide a water taxi service from the City Centre to the Quays and up to the trafford centre but I've not heard anything recently.

In many cities and towns a river can be a central attraction, where as in Manchester the Irwell is quite neglected and ignored.

With Spiningfields and the Quays developements both next to it combined with City Park running from one end to the other, the status and attractiveness of the Irwell could really change for the better in the next 5 years and be a real asset to Manchester.

I read on here a while back that Peel have ordered nine hydrofoils to provide a water taxi service from the City Centre to the Quays and up to the trafford centre but I've not heard anything recently.

Hopefully you're right about the Hydrofoils and then they're followed by further river traffic and help the river gain a bit more life.

From NW Insider:

Blackpool beats Manchester

The People’s Playground on Blackpool’s promenade has made it to the shortlist of ten projects that could be awarded funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks programme – but Irwell City Park, a scheme to develop public realm along Manchester, Salford and Trafford’s shared waterfronts, failed to make the cut. Blackpool has applied for the maximum £25m for its scheme, which includes six new headlands as part of a new seafront park and events area.

We should clearly do it anyway. 8 mil each. bargain!

Its small change for the councils, have always said that they shouldnt have even applied for the money, just get on with it.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/themeadows.gif


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/albertgardens-2.gif


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/cathedralsquare-2.gif


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/cathedralwalk-2.gif


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/thearches-2.gif


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/ordsallhall-2.gif


http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/clippersquay-2.gif

I just noticed that in the third picture down, they appear to have pedestrianized a quite major road i.e. A56 Victoria St, from Deansgate to Victoria Station.

Are they actually in the plans/would it be possible? How busy is the road/important as a through road?

"A strategic priority in the area is the extension of the high quality public realm created in
Cathedral Gardens down to the Irwell, and the consequential pedestrianisation of Victoria
Street. This would give an opportunity to substantially improve the setting of the cathedral
and Chetham’s School (both Grade I listed) and create new public realm spanning the river,
improving links with developments proposed around Greengate. This would be entirely
consistent with the aims and objectives of the Irwell City Park."[B][/B

Found in the Irwell City Planning Guidance http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/planning-policy/planguidance/icp-planguidance.htm

I ABSOLUTLY HATE that silly wiggly bridge in the fourth pic and most of the third pic down which is obviously (hopefully) just massing renders, but still all these new bridges and walkways will totally ruin the lovely old bridges that are already in place, yes maybe some new crossings are needed with all the new development, but it just seems their proposing bridges for the sake of it, the irwell will be an underground river soon!

It's bollox. It doesn't work alongside any of the unseen plans for the Ramada. piece of pish.

that pedestrianisation of victoria street has been puzzling me too...it turns into deansgate about 100 yards down the road! I just can't see where all the traffic will feed in...

either way, if they are going to close victoria street they may as well make the whole of that area green. what have manchester city council got against grass?

the traffic would be diverted to trinity ways main road and through greengate. There is practically a road that runs underneath the buildings you see (transparant ones in the foreground) that is rarely used. i think the road being removed infront of the church is a fantastic idea!!

luving the hanging bar down the side of the river but what about them arches that are bricked up! surely they could use them in some form.

Not so keen on all the bridges eitheres. I like the wiggly glass one that goes behind that horrid car park as there is no through way there (although the ramada plan said they were going to open up the river so not sure how that will work in the long run). I dont feel then eed for that extra bridge that cuts across nere the cathedral! i mean you have two either side of it! get a grip people and work on one of them!!

apart from that i really like what i see so far and combine that with whats happenign around salford uni it will be very distinctive for manchester!!

It's bollox. It doesn't work alongside any of the unseen plans for the Ramada. piece of pish.

Do we know anything about ony of the plans for the Ramada? Or just that there are plans for something to happen at some point? The hotel really is an eye sore in its current state.

If they can sort the traffic the pedestrianisation of victoria street will be the best thing about this.

This could be a defining scheme, if done correctly it just may attract middle class families back into the 'inner' core. People with money like to live around parks and rivers. It may really represent a 'post industrial' landmark in peoples perception of inner Manny.

They should build a small school near the centre that has plenty of scope to expand. In reality it needs to be a posh school because as elitist as it may sound, these new apartments that they want families to move into won't be housing you're average scally.

The upper-middle classes won't want their little cherrubs to be a school with the cast of Shameless so without the good schools you won't get the families.

Everytime there are photos of the River Irwell or when you visit sites along either side of it in Manchester or Salford.....one can't help noticing what an under-used asset it is.

(For example this jolly pic in the Chapel Wharf thread: http://www.hodderassociates.com/projects/chapel-wharf/4.jpg)

Anyone know if there are any plans to fully extend the little bits of access so that one could have a continous unbroken walk along either side of the river?

Sure that would involve some platforms being built-out from existing buildings which have a sheer face into the water but would it not help to make more out of this natural asset?

Any thoughts or knowledge of schemes in hand?

MarkO, completely agree we need to make the most of it. I think it has been discussed on here before at some point, seem to remember someone suggesting the idea of opening at bike hire company in town so people could cycle up and down between the quays and the city centre! Which would of course be a lovely tourist activity if a riverside route permitted it.

I seem to recall that suggestion may have been in response to all the Irwell City Park plans brought to light last year:

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/regeneration/irwellcitypark.htm
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1007/1007654_walk_on_water_at_irwell_park.html

Planning documents here: http://secure.manchester.gov.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?downloadID=1470

Though i think that was reliant on lottery funding which I don't think it got? Saying that, seems a lot of work went into it and I'm pretty sure it got a brief mention somewhere in a recent Spinningfields document, so maybe it is still in the council's plans. Obviously Greengate will have an impact at that end of town.

Something like this?

http://www.salford.gov.uk/themeadows.gif

http://www.salford.gov.uk/albertgardens-2.gif

http://www.salford.gov.uk/thearches-2.gif

Irwell City Park. A continuous 8km riverside walk, linking the Quays with Salford University via the city centre.

http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/regeneration/irwellcitypark.htm

There was a failed lottery bid to secure funding for this last year. Not sure what the future will hold for the plans.

Should be a thread on it somewhere

You beat me to it splurb! :)

Perhaps I can redeem myself by posting a link to the original thread

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=417153

Ahh yes that's the on. it was you who suggested the cycle hire thing! Lol that's the first thing that sprung to mind when i read the initial post.. must be a good idea! Oh well lets hope it happens, I do think it would be an asset. Looking at some of the renders on the original thread the Greengate proposal is included, maybe that will kickstart it. or maybe the council will pay for it.. :lol:

Wow Splurb/Potato Man - now would that not have been truly superb?!

Thanks for finding those images and the link to the thread.

When you hear the Government going on about Eco-towns and being greener, doesnt it make you spit feathers that such excellent ideas as this are having to apply for Lottery money (and failing) when it would be so clearly in the interests of the city to breathe some extra greener life into this slightly neglected thoroughfare.

Love the bike idea too - living in Paris I've become a more frequent bike-rider thanks to their fantasic velib scheme; you can pick up a bike at any one of 2000 stations and drop it off wherever you like and its free or super-cheap depending on how long you keep the thing for. So cool.

One day the UK will wake up we pray!

That sounds absolutely superb MarkO, I do wonder when the UK will wake up to schemes like that in Paris. Sounds bloody brilliant to me, I've got my own bike but those who haven't might be tempted to get some exercise. Who knows, maybe we wouldn't have a nation of obese people if such schemes existed here.

Didn't they try that here in manchester last year???? With only a few dozens bikes though?

Looks like it didn't catch on. Lazy Brits.

28 Feb 2008

Transforming Central Salford

Plans to create an 8km Irwell City Park beside the River Irwell are in train to re-establish the waterway as a focal point for the city providing a traffic free refuge for workers, residents and visitors and will provide the missing link to the huge number of projects, initiatives and activities taking place along its banks.

The Irwell City park project was given a boost in January 2008 with a new joint venture between Salford City Council and Bruntwood. The joint venture company Trinity ICP will develop the quarter acre site (0.101 hectares) that was acquired from the Guardian Media Group (GMG) by Bruntwood and Salford City Council with the support of the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

The development reflects Central Salford’s position as the natural expansion of Manchester’s commercial heart by creating a corporate centre with new business space, employment opportunities and a high quality public realm. The purpose of the joint venture between Bruntwood and Salford City Council is to ensure that quality public realm is provided and a walkway from Trinity Bridge to New Bailey Street will be delivered by the private sector. The joint venture will further develop the ‘Vision’ for a beautiful, vibrant and prosperous Central Salford and ensure that views from Trinity Bridge, the curved façade of The Lowry Hotel and the existing public realm is preserved and enhanced through the new development.

Chris Oglesby, CEO Bruntwood: “Bruntwood is proud to be working alongside Salford City Council to develop this area of Salford. Providing our customers with the right environment has been key to our success and developing high quality public realm lies at the heart of our business ethos.”

Karen Hirst, Development Director Central Salford URC: “The announcement of this joint venture between Salford City Council and Bruntwood is excellent news for the people of Salford. The development of this key area will continue the work of opening up access to the River Irwell and delivering a key linkage for the Irwell City Park project which is part of the vision to make Central Salford beautiful, vibrant and prosperous.”

http://www.think08.co.uk/page.cfm/T=m/Action=Press/PressID=14


I think the bike thing would only work if there was a nice environment to cycle in and somewhere decent to go, which is where the Irwell City Park would come in - people could take in both the city centre and the attractions at the quays and on to old trafford for example, more of a tourist thing. But anyway there is a long way to go before that could happen!

Edit: I say that, though the planning guidance has actually been adopted this month
http://www.salford.gov.uk/living/planning/planning-policy/planguidance/icp-planguidance.htm

Don't think this link has ever been posted before. About 30 images of the scheme, most of which have never been posted into this forum before:

http://www.formassociates.eu/project.php?id=1

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9990/irwellcityparkqo7.jpg

All we need is the money to pay for it now.

If the Renaissance hotel is redeveloped as a river fronted property which appears to be the plan, (look on the West properties site) will there be much need for that bridge though?

Found the thread.


Originally Posted by jrb

From Place North West.

NWDA funding triggers Irwell City Park design
5 December 2008, 14:18

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/400x296.02032176122/dec_08/pnw__1228486464_Irwell_City_Park_PERSPECTIVE_R.jpg

The proposed waterfront Irwell City Park along the river bordering Trafford, Salford and Manchester has been granted £1.1m from the North West Development Agency and partner councils for planning and design work.

The Irwell City Park vision is being delivered by Central Salford urban regeneration company, Salford City Council, Manchester City Council, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, the NWDA and private sector partners.

The project team will now appoint project managers, a design team and cost consultants to undertake all detailed design and technical assessments for the section of the project, which connects Media City UK and the Quays to Greengate and Victoria Street.

The project promises new walkways, bridges, cycleways and riverside community spaces, providing a backdrop for additional investment in new homes and employment

The project is scheduled to be completed in April 2010.

Gratuitous 1890's River Irwell tourism pics of the day :lol:

Launch 'Pomona' at New Bailey Street Bridge, Salford
http://www.transportarchive.org.uk/aimages/T1193.jpg
From:transportarchive.org.uk

Shipping on the Irwell at New Bailey Bridge, Manchester
http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=63341
From:images.manchester.gov.uk

Irwell Steam Packet Boats, Cathedral Landing Stage, Manchester
http://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=63366
From:images.manchester.gov.uk

I'm glad the river's finally getting a bit more attention but i really don't like all these wavy stickyouty bits, they'll look cheap very quickly! and it's not the widest river in the world is it!

i want the old manchester back :cry:
i'm also not a fan of the overhangs of the irwell city park. leaves a bad taste in my mouth because they are doing this right next to two grade II listed bridges.

I'm glad the river's finally getting a bit more attention but i really don't like all these wavy stickyouty bits, they'll look cheap very quickly! and it's not the widest river in the world is it!

that's what i've been saying!
it's like a flashback to the mistakes of the 60s.
however, i think even if it is shit, it is better to have it than not, but i would reject it simply because it could be done so much better, and more respecfully to its setting.

only if scs ruled the world

This park idea is merely addressing what should have happened some 150 plus years ago.

In that the Irwell should have been developed as a public realm, instead of a cess pit.

Its a mark of the callousness of Victorian Mancunian industrialists in that they knew how to make money, but very little about beauty.

When you look at that much heralded picture of Georgian Manchester - that is often posted on here - you realise that land was in aby=undance. Yet the rush for profits created yer Little Irelands, yer Irwell cesspits.

Yes the Town Hall was created. But in hindsight alot more could of happened. But of course it didnt and probably would not have done. Our experiences allowed other societies to industrialise in less harsh ways.

So as I say all this park will do is address which should have been done previously.

This park idea is merely addressing what should have happened some 150 plus years ago.

From the wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Cathedral_Steps) entry for Manchester Cathedral Steps:
In the Victorian era passenger trips along the river Irwell were very popular. "Sailings to Pomona Gardens were very popular with courting couples, who liked to watch the Eel-catchers, admire views of Trafford Park Woodlands, and gaze at the peaceful farms and orchards. But the increasing smells from the river stopped it all." The Rivers Pollution Prevention Act 1876 was designed to solve this problem, but it was largely ineffective.

The vast industrialisation I think got a little in the way of river tourism development in the 19th Century, I guess the ideas were there with the likes of the 'Pomona Pleasure Gardens' on the Irwell in the late 18th/19th century, the construction of the docks just happened to get in the way a bit. :lol:

A nice little overview doc, from Salfords website, April this year.

Large PDF Copy Here (http://www.salford.gov.uk/irwell-city-park-overview-map-april-2008.pdf)

http://i36.tinypic.com/a11k77.jpg

who pays for this?

it's just hit me that it's right by all the most recent, mosty expensive property in salford.

council tax payers?

i don't like the look of that blue bridge called 'cathedral walk' any more than i like tony blair getting an exemption from planning rules to add a swimming pool in the grounds of his grade I tudor house.

i like

i don't like the look of that blue bridge called 'cathedral walk'

That's the part which scares me the most, it's going to look awful in 20 years!

I enlarged the pdf image to 400% and that "blue bridge" looks a little like a combination of staring at Christmas lights through teardrops after taking some erm special coffee as you run across Albert Square.

In other words it looks like a flash of lazer blue, rather than something substantial.

It doesnt appear to have any side rails which would be a curious experience if you were of a certain age, disposition or pished.

Not a real rendering me thinks.

'Conceptual' innit?

well i don't like the concept then

Word of the day:

ethereal
e⋅the⋅re⋅al
[i-theer-ee-uhl]
adjective


1. light, airy, or tenuous: an ethereal world created through the poetic imagination.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/cathedralwalk-2.gif

With an emphasis on tenuous.

in the words of indiana jones:

'eeearrrggghhhhhh!!' :(

I actually feel sick, if that ever comes to fruition i'll die!

straight from the "how to shit all over a beautiful riverscape" manual!:ohno:

Check them ghosts out as well, that's some freaky shit! :)

straight from the "how to shit all over a beautiful riverscape" manual

To be honest, I think they have been working from that manual for the past 100+ years :lol:

Now is the chance to make something of the old Irwell.

i can see this becoming a hotspot for chavs throwing passerbys in to the irwell

i can see this becoming a hotspot for chavs throwing passerbys in to the irwell

Out of interest, where is the current hotspot for this? & is it a widespread pursuit or just a Chorley phenomenon?

i wonder how many people involved in this project have actually BEEN to cathedral approach and/or victoria bridge street.

Out of interest, where is the current hotspot for this? & is it a widespread pursuit or just a Chorley phenomenon?

AFAIK that would be the Duchy Estate (Brindle Heath)

A pre NWDA funding report from SCC, from September 2008, contains a few interesting facts & figures about the ICP proposal, costs & timeline...

From SCC Website:

Link to report (http://services.salford.gov.uk/solar_documents/ITEM%208.DOC)

Regeneration Initiatives Cabinet Working Group
1st September 2008

...

2.0 ICP scheme review

2.1 In order to prepare a pre-implementation package of work for ICP, the project team have reviewed the overall scheme in terms of programme of work, the various packages that could be progressed, costs and funding strategy, phasing/sequencing and procurement policy. Key changes to the scheme have informed the pre-implementation works required and the appropriate levels of match-funding to be provided by each of the three Councils. Some key changes are set out below:

a) Greengate Bridge is now funded by English Partnerships with Salford City Council. This element is displaced from the overall new scheme costs;

b) Ordsall/Pomona Bridge is included at an estimated cost of £4m, reflecting the importance of its contribution to ICP in terms of improved connectivity and accessibility and provision of a more sustainable transport network

2.2 The ICP scheme has now been re-packaged with the priority being to secure connectivity between MediacityUK and Manchester City Centre as early as possible.

2.3 It should be noted that Cathedral Square (extensive public realm improvements to the frontage of Manchester Cathedral) remains a priority for Manchester City Council. However, the detail of this area as a shared space needs to be investigated and was raised as part of the City Centre North Framework by developers who are concerned with regard to access and transport.

2.4 The cost of the overall scheme has been reviewed by Davis Langdon and with the revisions above, the total capital cost of the scheme now amounts to £39m compared to the original £35.88m in the Lottery application business case. The increase primarily reflects inclusion of the proposed footbridge link at Ordsall/Pomona. However, this will be offset at the final application stages by the potential reduction of approximately £1m from Cathedral Walk costs to reflect West Properties development of the Ramada Hotel – where part of the walkway will be incorporated within their scheme.

2.5 The long term funding strategy for ICP to support construction will be informed by:

a) Detailed negotiations with developers to ascertain the extent to which their schemes can deliver specific aspects of ICP which would result in:

• a reduction in the scope of Cathedral Walk with West Properties delivering a significant part of the riverside walkway through the redevelopment of the Ramada;

• joint implementation of enhancements to Trinity Bridge in partnership with Bruntwood; and

• detailed option appraisal work linked to Ordsall/Pomona bridge involving Peel Holdings.

b) Discussions with English Partnerships, who have already indicated a willingness to examine funding potential linked to residential areas adjacent to ICP e.g. Ordsall and The Meadows. With almost 20,000 dwellings anticipated along the ICP corridor, there is significant scope to engage English Partnerships and the Homes and Communities Agency (from the end of 2008 ) in the funding strategy;

c) The agreement in April 2008 by Salford City Council to dedicate 50% of its Section 106 planning obligation monies within the ICP planning guidance boundary to delivering key components of the scheme. Trafford MBC are also assessing their Section 106 potential;

d) The ability to deliver complementary key elements of ICP to facilitate premier public realm and increased accessibility along the riverside. This will be supported significantly by Central Salford URC’s current acquisition of the Vanguard Textiles site on Ordsall Lane, which will facilitate a reconfiguration of uses along the riverside and open up access between Ordsall Hall and the Irwell itself.

e) The extent to which both the NWDA and other public/private funds can be secured to fund both pre-implementation and then subsequent construction of ICP. The Meadows is already a front runner to secure over £200,000 of NWDA Setting the Scene for Growth grant during 2009/10, that will support future delivery of a wider project.

2.6 In terms of revenue elements, the maintenance costs were reviewed to support the final application stage in June and amount to £1.71m. Davis Langdon will be reviewing options and a proposed maintenance strategy during pre-implementation.

2.7 A broad programme of delivery for ICP had been devised for the NWDA application that will see the packages described in section 2.1 above subdivided into lots. The lots would then be the focus of separate but interrelated applications to NWDA from 2009/10 onwards.

2.8 The broad timetable for this is:

http://i43.tinypic.com/246ph09.jpg

...

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/projects/masterplanning/irwell-city-park-manchester.cfm?region=m#

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/135965B2D96C85E7CA8ADBA0E6E2CDF5.jpg

not seen this quays one b4..

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/13587329DDB9319D9AA4EC7D30DF7DB2.jpg

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/13561C050146F3327894500D84873956.jpg

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/1354EBFEF389AC7AF447E96D726909C0.jpg

not seen this quays one b4..

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/13587329DDB9319D9AA4EC7D30DF7DB2.jpg


What on earth is going on there? Looks like some sort of projection over the ship canal with a glass walled structure underneath....those crazy masterplanners & their fantasy renders. I think a new bridge is planned at that point looking at the draft masterplan...

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/13561C050146F3327894500D84873956.jpg

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/1354EBFEF389AC7AF447E96D726909C0.jpg

i wonder if with the approval (it's approved isn't it??) of west's ramada redevelopment this river route could be replaced in part by the wibbly-wobbly decked walkway that lunges out oh so graciously into the canal and-doesn't-hark-back-to-bad-60s-planning in any way shape or form.

could the caesar's palace walkway (see above pics) that is intended to be inextricably plonked onto 2 grade II listed bridges be given the chop? or were the two things always supposed to be there together.

ramada redev:

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7971/premierhouse3yz4.jpg

From the above SCC doc:

...potential reduction of approximately £1m from Cathedral Walk costs to reflect West Properties development of the Ramada Hotel – where part of the walkway will be incorporated within their scheme.

So I think this will be disappearing from the scheme....

:horse::horse::horse::carrot::carrot:

well i'd have that wibbly-wobbly over that pattaya nightclub-inspired airport thing any day

From: http://www.building.co.uk (http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=284&storycode=3134020&c=0)

David Langdon scoops £40m Manchester deal
13 February, 2009
By Olivia Boyd

http://www.building.co.uk/Pictures/436xAny/y/p/n/irwell_manchester_davis_1.jpg

Irwell City Park regeneration scheme will transform 8km of riverside area

Consultant Davis Langdon (http://www.davislangdon.com/EME/Projects/) has won a deal to work on a £40m regeneration project in Manchester.

The firm has been appointed project and cost managers on Irwell City Park, a Broadway Malyan designed waterway scheme between Salford Quays and Salford University.

The project, backed by a consortium of local councils and developers, aims to boost private sector investment and job opportunities by transforming an 8km stretch along the banks of the River Irwell.

Paul Donlan, the Davis Langdon (http://www.davislangdon.com/EME/Projects/) partner leading the scheme said: “This is a key project of regional, if not national, significance and we are absolutely delighted to have secured such an exciting commission.

“It will be a great opportunity to work with the three local authorities, Central Salford URC and leading landowners and developers along this 8km stretch of the Irwell - which is right on our doorstep in Manchester and Salford.”

That is fantastic!

http://www.broadwaymalyan.com/bmalyan/dms/135965B2D96C85E7CA8ADBA0E6E2CDF5.jpg



Looking at the image above it seems there's an argument to be made for the councils to follow a more comprehensive path of opening up and improving the public realm along our inner city waterways. The Medlock may not be of the same scale (or accessibility) as the Irwell but with a comprehensive programme of improvements it could become a chain of small high quality urban parkland and footpaths that would improve the environment of the Southern Gateway.

The Irk valley is being improved, but is inaccesible to most of the regenerated areas in the city centre. If the public realm around the Boddington's redevelopment could be designed to draw people into the valley it would become a vastly more valuable resource.

Finally the inner city canal network is fairly open, but isn't safe or inviting. If towpaths could be improved to facillitate cycling, walking and movement between some of the existing open spaces alongside them then the greater patronage would make them safer and more beneficial for inner city residents.

Manchester doesn't have a centrally located park, and it suffers from it. But a network of integrated parks, sqaures, gardens and footpaths could reduce the impact of this deficit and open up some of the inner city districts to redevelopment and repopulation.

Design team selected for Irwell City Park project

By Simon Binns

A design team comprising Broadway Malyan, Form Associates and Gifford, has been appointed on the £40m Irwell City Park project on the banks of the River Irwell connecting Salford and Manchester.

The team has been selected to develop the outline vision into a deliverable project by March 2010. The project includes the creation or upgrading of up to 8km of cycle and pedestrian routes, three new public spaces and three new footbridges to enhance linkages across the river.

The 280 hectare Irwell City Park will run through Media City UK in Salford Quays and Manchester city centre and connect both cities.

Irwell City Park is being delivered by a partnership of Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, Salford City Council, Manchester City Council, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, the Northwest Development Agency and private sector partners.

“The River Irwell has been a constant symbol of the fortunes of Manchester,” said Eddy Fox, associate for Broadway Malyan’s Manchester office.

“Its continuing state of dereliction and under use after two decades of progressive regeneration reflects the incomplete success of Greater Manchester’s reinstatement as a great European city.

“Irwell City Park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lift the regeneration of Greater Manchester onto a new level and reposition the city as a genuinely international urban centre.”

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090302/FREE/903029949/1083/-/-/design-team-selected-for-irwell-city-park-project

Let's hope Trafford Borough council get their fingers out of their arse and fix the lights on their side of the Promenade (did I just say that), and fix the ones at Pomona while they're at it!

Hear, hear. Bold statment, let us hope they deliver:

The River Irwell has been a constant symbol of the fortunes of Manchester,” said Eddy Fox, associate for Broadway Malyan’s Manchester office.

“Its continuing state of dereliction and under use after two decades of progressive regeneration reflects the incomplete success of Greater Manchester’s reinstatement as a great European city.

“Irwell City Park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lift the regeneration of Greater Manchester onto a new level and reposition the city as a genuinely international urban centre

Admittedly no real news on the project but hey...

Irwell City Park account flows into RMS
http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-marketing-services/irwell-city-park-account-flows-into-rms-200907035786/
Friday, 03 July 2009

RMS PR has secured the account for urban regeneration scheme Irwell City Park.

The multi-million pound project is to create an urban park running alongside 8km of the River Irwell, through Salford, Manchester and Trafford.

It’s a joint venture between Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, Salford City Council, Manchester City Council, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and the NWDA.

RMS has been retained to promote the scheme and benefits it can have on local communities:

“This scheme is an exciting venture that will have major economic and social benefits for Manchester, Salford and Trafford. We’re looking forward to helping to bring the River Irwell back to life and telling the world all about it,” said Ruth Shearn, managing director of RMS PR.

“Irwell City Park has the potential to create an internationally recognised waterfront destination for Greater Manchester and could be one of the most important projects for the conurbation core in many decades. Central Salford URC and partners look forward to working with RMS PR to promote this ambitious vision and turn it into reality on the ground,” added Carla Todd, head of communications at Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company.
http://www.rmspr.co.uk/news?news_id=86&archive=no


From a recent SCC report related to the the Salford Central development framework adoption:
...
1.11 Irwell City Park

North West Regional Development Agency and partner approval for £1.1m funding was granted in November 2008 to complete the “pre-implementation” phase of Irwell City Park. After a series of formal tender processes, consultant teams were appointed in January 2009; a Design Team (Broadway Malyan, Form Associates and Giffords), Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors (Davis Langdon), and Construction Design and Management Regulations Coordinator (Turner and Townsend).

1.12 Pre-implementation works focus on the detailed planning and technical assessments leading to the securing of planning permissions by the end of April 2010 for the following:

• The creation of a high quality, continuously accessible, Disability Discrimination Act compliant, pedestrian and cycle route from Mediacity:UK to the Regional Centre that will contribute significantly to the Regional Centre Transport Strategy;
• The construction of a number of new iconic pedestrian bridges that will enhance and increase transport and economic connectivity and accessibility to support future economic growth and,
A new premier public realm that will reinforce and underpin the Regional Centre’s economic and social resurgence, and strengthen its economic vitality, environmental quality and ability to attract substantial investment.

1.13 A strategic review of the project is nearing completion in order to clearly define the scope of the project, and designs are progressing for a number of key elements. The review has included a series of meetings and workshops involving all key partners and stakeholders, to ensure buy-in and ongoing commitment. To facilitate detailed designs, a series of surveys are underway. A Waterways Strategy is being prepared to consider how best the river/ship canal can be used for transport, leisure and recreation, and to improve water quality. A Green Infrastructure Plan is also being prepared to clarify the potential environmental, economic and health benefits.

1.14 Detailed discussions will also continue between the Irwell City Park team and English Cities Fund to realise a complementary relationship between the two projects.
...
http://services.salford.gov.uk/solar_documents/PLMB190509C.DOC

A few new renders/plans from the Form Associates (http://www.formassociates.eu/projects.php) website:

http://i32.tinypic.com/2ut0q5j.jpg (http://www.formassociates.eu/project.php?id=1)

http://i25.tinypic.com/i1i6br.jpg (http://www.formassociates.eu/project.php?id=1)

Clippers Quay Bridge:
http://i25.tinypic.com/vx2rmo.jpg (http://www.formassociates.eu/project.php?id=2)
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=trafford+wharf+road&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=35.768112,79.013672&ie=UTF8&ll=53.466885,-2.286186&spn=0.003283,0.009645&t=h&z=17&iwloc=A

Woden Street Bridge:
http://i31.tinypic.com/153bic2.jpg (http://www.formassociates.eu/project.php?id=9)
Woden Street Bridge
The proposed new structure is a single span arch bridge with twin inclined arches supporting a deck suspended between them. The existing piers will be demolished and new springings for the arches provided founded off the underlying bedrock.

Consideration has been given to maintaining the existing bridge but replacing the approach ramp on the Ordsall side and opening out the entrance on the Manchester side. However this would leave a width for the foot/cycleway that is below the standard set for the Park therefore a replacement bridge deck is being considered. The existing bridge could be re-used to form a crossing of the Bridgewater Canal to provide a link to Cornbrook Station.
Disused railway arches are currently in a poor state but are to be regenerated as part of the works for the Park.

Woden Street (wtf!!) Not sure if thats a cool or a dodgy nazi viking sort of name for good old erm ordsall. Perhaps cunningly appropriate given a certain of pirate natured individuals who inhabit that salt of the earth district. (Like I can speak!!!)

Certainly such links are basically the kind of common sense thinking that the victorians would have done, but seemingly got lost along the way.

You get off at Cornbrook, cross a bridge and land at your dwellings in Ordsall, thus cutting around 15 minutes driving at least and god knows what it would be to walk.

And being serious, allows people who live there who want to commute to town, a speedier and more accessible means to do so.

Woden Street (wtf!!) Not sure if thats a cool or a dodgy nazi viking sort of name for good old erm ordsall. Perhaps cunningly appropriate given a certain of pirate natured individuals who inhabit that salt of the earth district. (Like I can speak!!!)

i lived on that street for a year! :lol:

As I said "like I can speak!!":banana:

No personal offence to you there boss!

Unless you actually wear a bandana, sail up and down the Irwell with a crowd of salty seaman under a jolly rodger, fleecing poor innocent girls for the white slave trade.

if so I am really in trouble...........

to the brig with you!











not really. ;)

I really don't get what people are planning for the Irwell in the city. There something like 3 or 4 different river projects being planned with different bridges which are basically cutting the river up and allowing the public to view holes in the wall where waste water slowly seeps out.

At the Quays on all sides anyone can walk all the way around until you get to the War Museum and you get cut off by an ugly fence. They plan to finish that off but I've noticed theres one area on all the renders which they have made a complete hash of. The connection North to the Quays. It still looks like it will be cut off.

In the city centre instead of all this rubbish, why can't the councils plan to open the Irwell up on both sides which allows people to walk along it and cross over it. New Stone walls on both sides finished with either a stone paving finish or red brick. That will last the test of time instead of these ugly cheap wooden finishes with strange 'lets try to be modern bridges'. Best solution for those is to drop a match. Its seaside piers all over again. Who ever has been planning these river developments has been thinking too much with their creative head, than their Manchester heart.

btw that new bridge = new tescos on water

i think the concept is a good one - to have a continuous river walkway along the irwell. i just don't like certain parts of it, for instance the parts by the grade 2 listed blackfriars bridge and victoria bridge. it blocks a good view of these from various angles. admittedly it opens new views from the new walkway. then there's the new footbridge between vic bridge and cathedral approach bridge, just seems... a bridge too far many? does anyone know if they are cutting sections out of the two old bridges to fit the new walkway through?

around that area the scheme just seems to have the same thinking as piccadilly gardens, which it seems most people view as a complete hash-up on so many levels. the big wall from muscle beach, the impinjing new huge office block and the confusing, almost muddled design of the layout of the square.

the area by the two old bridges, did i read it has been approved already? i think it was a condition of west ramada redevelopment wasn't it? and that got approval.

i think the concept is a good one - to have a continuous river walkway along the irwell. i just don't like certain parts of it, for instance the parts by the grade 2 listed blackfriars bridge and victoria bridge. it blocks a good view of these from various angles. admittedly it opens new views from the new walkway. then there's the new footbridge between vic bridge and cathedral approach bridge, just seems... a bridge too far many? does anyone know if they are cutting sections out of the two old bridges to fit the new walkway through?

around that area the scheme just seems to have the same thinking as piccadilly gardens, which it seems most people view as a complete hash-up on so many levels. the big wall from muscle beach, the impinjing new huge office block and the confusing, almost muddled design of the layout of the square.

the area by the two old bridges, did i read it has been approved already? i think it was a condition of west ramada redevelopment wasn't it? and that got approval.
The concept is an fantastic one but who ever has been planning it, doesn't really understand what there doing. It might turn out to be great but 5 years in areas will have aged like Piccadilly Gardens have and it will turn out shit. Castlefield and the Quays show perfectly how rivers and canals can be opened up which people love to use. There are afew cities in the world which have great cycle and walking routes by the sea, rivers and canals which just work and never get boring. I'd don't understand how these designs will work. They are cut off from one another, the views are being blocked, the materials used are clearly wrong and there are too many pointless bridges.

The ramada redevelopment should be central to opening up the river but they've just fucked that up by hiding the river under all that wood just 20 yards away. That means the development will be like all the others, likely one flat wall from river bed to the highest floor.

That Ramada section is such a little part of the overall scheme, just trying to add a little bit of interest to the riverside rather than a straight forward walkway(whilst maximising their development footprint...)

http://i28.tinypic.com/99gah3.jpg

Overall it's a coherent masterplan, its just the Greengate & Ramada sections that are independent, the rest is split into sections for implementation purposes, its all the one project at the end of the day...

All the bridges seem to serve some sort of purpose, at least the ones between Greengate & the Quays. Granted none of them look particularly 'iconic' from the initial renders, maybe they need to be judged more in terms of how well they integrate into the overall scheme, not just on aesthetics.

The biggest part the scheme surely is to help sort out the missing link between the city centre & the Quays, Pomona, a bridge there is definitely needed to connect Ordsall Lane to the Cornbrook/Pomona tram. ICP's got to improve the viability of any development that happens there in the future.

http://i28.tinypic.com/jzxnhz.jpg
(Such a great aerial shot that...)

That link to Ordsall Hall is a great feature as well...
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/ordsallhall-2.gif

I think like you say main thing is linking the Quays to the city centre. I'm not sure all the other shite eg. the bridge near Blackfriars is necessary - what purpose does that serve?

If the quality is going to be shite I'd rather they didn't do anything where its not necessary, ie. in the centre.

Anyone noticed how the Woden Street bridge looks exactly like the one linking Piccadilly Station to Piccadilly Place?

That Ramada section is such a little part of the overall scheme, just trying to add a little bit of interest to the riverside rather than a straight forward walkway(whilst maximising their development footprint...)

ah yes, i remember now it's not a bridge at the ramada section planned anymore, more a decked overhang, and that has got approval i think. to west's credit, they could hardly be expected to forfeit part of their site to keep the path on the bank, unless the council paid them but then again it could have been beneficial for west to have that access anyway so perhaps things have just gone in west's favour in allowing the path to go over the river. i don't know though, perhaps it will actually look good and i just can't see the vision. :dunno:

I'm not sure all the other shite eg. the bridge near Blackfriars is necessary - what purpose does that serve?

Its all about 'accessibility', there are steps to access the path by the Edge:
http://i32.tinypic.com/ne7vb8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasztilla/2407774405/) http://i25.tinypic.com/iqkepj.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasztilla/2407774405/

Also maybe to minimise gaps in the walkway to make it as continuous as possible.

11:47 am, August 20, 2009

Ekosgen appointed to Irwell City Park scheme
By Simon Binns


Glasgow-based regeneration consultancy Ekosgen, which also has a Manchester office, has been appointed to advise on the delivery of Irwell City Park.

The consultancy will be working with Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company and the local authority partners behind the scheme to open up the Irwell.

Ekosgen is tasked with evaluating how investment should be phased over the next five years, assessing the economic benefits of key projects and developing a funding strategy to draw in public and private sector support.

The Irwell City Park project includes the development of a new waterfront destination along an 8km stretch of the River Irwell, including the creation of new urban realm spaces. It is being delivered in partnership with Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA).

“We're thrilled to be part of the project team and look forward to playing a key role in the delivery of this internationally significant scheme,” said Ekosgen's Steve Potter:

Chris Farrow, chief executive of Central Salford URC, said: “This is a critical time for the consultancy to come on board now detailed design work is being progressed along the stretch of riverside between Media City and Manchester city centre, which will provide the potential setting for £3bn private sector investment."

The ICP project seems to be commencing at the two end points, with the MediaCity Bridge & IWMN promenade, and now Crescent Meadows at the other end, with funding for Phase 1(a footpath).

1.0 Background

1.1 The Crescent Meadows is a key project in the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company Business and Investment Plan 2009-2010.

1.2 The site represents a rare opportunity to significantly improve a large existing public open space at the northern anchor of Irwell River Park and the southern end of the Irwell Sculpture Trail. The approved funding will allow the implementation of the first stage of the long term vision for the site. It will provide an immediate resource for local communities in Broughton and Irwell Riverside, and will generate confidence in the future of the site and Irwell River Park as a whole.

1.3 Setting the Scene for Growth is a fund managed by Community Forests North West Ltd on behalf of the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the Forestry Commission.

1.4 Approval of Setting the Scene for Growth funding was granted on 30 November 2009, and subject to Salford City Council approvals, the Phase 1 works will be on site in February and March 2010.

2.0 Details

2.1 The attached plan at Annex 1 shows the Phase 1 footpath proposals. The footpath will be 1.8m wide, and approximately 850m long. It will be constructed of recycled crushed stone. Planning permission is not required. The proposed footpath will lead into the site from Meadow Road and form a circuit around the perimeter of the central field. The proposed link to Peel Park via the existing footbridge will be constructed in Phase 2 of the works.

2.2 A planning application will be submitted in Spring 2010 for Phase 2 including the proposed fencing, meadow and woodland planting, wetland creation and footpath link to Peel Park (see Annex 2).
...
5.3 The funding for Phase 2 is anticipated to be confirmed in April or May 2010. Once the Phase 2 funding has been confirmed, work will commence on detailed designs, proposals for public consultation and a planning application.
Planning Lead Member Briefing - 2nd February 2010 - Crescent Meadows Phase 1 Footpath Works (http://services.salford.gov.uk/solar/showmeeting.asp?ID=4405&MGP_ID=115)

Phase 2:
http://i47.tinypic.com/6nt6qo.jpg

There's an article in the MEN today with the author of those Underground Manchester books. They talk about the tunnels/ex air raid shelters under Victoria arches (by the irwell and cathedral) and there's a small indication that the coucil may open the arches up as part of Irwell City Park.

This would tie in with a comment on Manchester Confidential a few weeks back suggesting that some tunnels may be turned into a tourist attraction.

Sounds pretty ace to me. Just a shame Irwell City Park is progressing so slowly.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1242343_75m_bid_to_turn_irwell_into_city_river_park

Interesting timescales detailed for the Spinningfields bridge...

Crains announced a start on the bridge at the end of April :|

Still, this launch has been a while coming, given they were trying to gain planning by the early part of this year.

How has this changed from the £40m predicted costing then, what else is included in the £75m figure?
In all, the plans involves six new bridges, and the redevelopment of 34 acres of land.

Ramada render...

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/538.$plit/C_71_article_1242343_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?08%2F06%2F2010%2018%3A04%3A25%3A810

Very little on it, but here's the website for it,

http://www.irwellriverpark.co.uk

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/6399-central-salford-on-hunt-for-river-cash.html

i walk and run the route from spinningfields to salford quays regularly and apart from the media city bridge, the 50% of funded improvements quoted in the previous post certainly arent happening there. nor are they down the broughton or salford uni end that i have noticed.

Looks to be some new stuff on here...

http://www.irwellriverpark.co.uk/press_resources.html

a few recent files in the downloads list, check the 7mb presentation out.

^^

Amazing. :cheers:

Just a shame it won't get built for a while yet :ohno:

Looks to be some new stuff on here...

http://www.irwellriverpark.co.uk/press_resources.html

a few recent files in the downloads list, check the 7mb presentation out.

does it really cost £650,000 to cut back some hedges, sandblast some graffiti off the walls and replace the bulbs in the lights that are already there?

does it really cost £650,000 to cut back some hedges, sandblast some graffiti off the walls and replace the bulbs in the lights that are already there?

No, Hazel Blears just wants to pocket some for herself.

does it really cost £650,000 to cut back some hedges, sandblast some graffiti off the walls and replace the bulbs in the lights that are already there?

you mean 72 million! (last page of presentation)

good find cdx

if they really want to improve this route and see more people using it, they need to stop locking those bloody gates that block the section off from just before the toothpaste factory down to just after trafford road bridge at 8pm every night.

I appreciate what they're trying to do...but its just not radical enough...more of a patch up job..a bridge here and a footpath there...which is wierd when you consider the costs they're quoting.

if they really want to improve this route and see more people using it, they need to stop locking those bloody gates that block the section off from just before the toothpaste factory down to just after trafford road bridge at 8pm every night.

Surely that's to keep to keep local scallies out. Just before Pomona theres usually something electrical dumped in the river, but i don't think thats the sort of community spirit they're after for this area. If they don't keep the area well managed once it's completed it will end up looking like somewhere best to avoid. In that respect if they can work out the routes that are used from the estate to dump stuff, i hope they block those off instead

Surely that's to keep to keep local scallies out. Just before Pomona theres usually something electrical dumped in the river, but i don't think thats the sort of community spirit they're after for this area. If they don't keep the area well managed once it's completed it will end up looking like somewhere best to avoid. In that respect if they can work out the routes that are used from the estate to dump stuff, i hope they block those off instead

yeah they do lock it up to keep scallies out. the gates that are locked though are the ones that lead onto ordsall road (which i can understand), but then they also lock the ones that allow you to actually use the route itself. im sure the intention is to stop people breaking in to the office units that are along there, but wouldnt it be better to pay for some bars across the office windows, rather than stopping people using the walkway altogether?

this section of the city park was originally cleared and tidied up in the late 80s as part of the docks regeneration program. but because pomona docks has seen so little development since, it has remained isolated. its this isolation and seclusion that attracts people to dump stuff in the canal or abandon stolen cars or graffiti the walls.

until that changes, the council could end up spending a load of money tarting something up, that could look a complete eye sore again in a few years time.

No matter how well they tart it up it's still an area i wouldn't fancy walking along at night time mainly because of the easy access from the main road. My attitude has always been if your kids wreck something, your access to it is getting cut off. Should it be cut off from the main road then i'd feel more comfortable using it at night to walk to and from the Quays

No matter how well they tart it up it's still an area i wouldn't fancy walking along at night time mainly because of the easy access from the main road. My attitude has always been if your kids wreck something, your access to it is getting cut off. Should it be cut off from the main road then i'd feel more comfortable using it at night to walk to and from the Quays

i agree that stopping access from ordsall lane is a good idea, but it wont happen as it would be viewed as politically incorrect. salford council fork out a load of money to repair something, then block access to it for the people of salford. ive been down there late at night a few times and never seen anyone around. in fact you very rarely see anybody mooching around ordsall late at night full stop. its suprisingly quiet around there, given its reputation.

ive been down there late at night a few times and never seen anyone around.
Theres often been a number of kids bricking the geese when we've cut across Woden Bridge. Have you ever walked from Ralli Courts under Irwell bridge? Many people use it and under the bridge itself it narrows to a foot width. Be good when they finally sort that out :)

Theres often been a number of kids bricking the geese when we've cut across Woden Bridge. Have you ever walked from Ralli Courts under Irwell bridge? Many people use it and under the bridge itself it narrows to a foot width. Be good when they finally sort that out :)

which one is woden bridge again?

which one is woden bridge again?

It's the green one leading to St Georges Island

which one is woden bridge again?

the one at the end of Woden Street :smug:

The long term vision is impressive and will certainly achieve the aim of connecting Salford Quays and the city centre. It's just a bit frustrating that a lot of the smaller elements that would make an immediate impact have not been dealt with more quickly.

One quick example; the small riverside walkway between Bridge. St and the Lowry Hotel. The land has been cleared, so at a glance there's not too much else to do. If say a dozen, or twenty of these smaller projects could be completed in the next three months, the impact would be immediate and tangible.

Of course these are the sorts of projects that you tend to think you and a few mates could do over a long weekend, but in reality are i'm sure more complicated and tend to be considerably more expensive than a trip to B&Q.

Maybe if a 'Friends of....' group was launched, volunteers could get the work done. After all, it was a group of people that created to make the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, which evolved into Sustrans, that created the wider National Cycle Network.

If people feel unsafe walking about, why doesn't Salford City Council recruit volunteer patrollers? It seriously annoys me that the Development Corporation tidied the Riverside Walkway up in the 1980s, but Salford CC totally neglect it!

Maybe if a 'Friends of....' group was launched, volunteers could get the work done. After all, it was a group of people that created to make the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, which evolved into Sustrans, that created the wider National Cycle Network.

If people feel unsafe walking about, why doesn't Salford City Council recruit volunteer patrollers? It seriously annoys me that the Development Corporation tidied the Riverside Walkway up in the 1980s, but Salford CC totally neglect it!

ive never seen a copper or even a PCSO down by that part of the canal side.

Neither have I, yet you tend to see them elsewhere, such as the Bridgewater, Rochdale, and Ashton Canals.

Riverside Walkway could be turned into a fantastic promenade, with the addition of some bars and restaurants, linking the city centre with Salford Quays, would create an attractive visitor destination, especially on summer evenings for tourists (weather permitting!!).

Neither have I, yet you tend to see them elsewhere, such as the Bridgewater, Rochdale, and Ashton Canals.

Riverside Walkway could be turned into a fantastic promenade, with the addition of some bars and restaurants, linking the city centre with Salford Quays, would create an attractive visitor destination, especially on summer evenings for tourists (weather permitting!!).

perhaps if the area is built up, then there will be an increase police presence down there. i think the lack of one again comes down to a lack of development. over on the pomona side, they put in railings, lighting and pathways too back in the 1980s. these have now badly been negected, but they obviously envisaged that redevelopment would take place there as it has on elsewhere in the quays.

it seems strange that it hasnt to be honest, especially with the metrolink running past the site and being surrounded by water on all sides. i would have thought it would have been the ideal yuppy development location.

perhaps if the area is built up, then there will be an increase police presence down there. i think the lack of one again comes down to a lack of development. over on the pomona side, they put in railings, lighting and pathways too back in the 1980s. these have now badly been negected, but they obviously envisaged that redevelopment would take place there as it has on elsewhere in the quays.

it seems strange that it hasnt to be honest, especially with the metrolink running past the site and being surrounded by water on all sides. i would have thought it would have been the ideal yuppy development location.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was contaminated land, didnt there used to be a factory on that site that burnt down?

knew Id seen it somewhere before, see link, explosion of chemical factory some years ago

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=407723&page=2

knew Id seen it somewhere before, see link, explosion of chemical factory some years ago

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=407723&page=2

im not having that to be honest. ive never heard that story before and i cant find any other reference to it on the internet. they managed to rebuild and repopulate hiroshima and nagasaki after they had nuclear weapons dropped on them, so i dont see how a supposed chemical spillage 100 years earlier would cause a problem. if it was a problem then there wouldnt have been planning applications put in for the site and there already is one block of flats on pomona island, right next to the tram stop.

i have noticed though, whilst walking around there that there are vents in the ground, like what you would find at a landfill site. im not sure what their purpose is.

Edit: although i have found something that states some areas of manchester suffer from heavy contamination from its industrial past. it lists these however as being in east manchester in the main and doesnt mention pomona, salford or any kind of explosion at a chemical plant.

im not having that to be honest. ive never heard that story before and i cant find any other reference to it on the internet. they managed to rebuild and repopulate hiroshima and nagasaki after they had nuclear weapons dropped on them, so i dont see how a supposed chemical spillage 100 years earlier would cause a problem. if it was a problem then there wouldnt have been planning applications put in for the site and there already is one block of flats on pomona island, right next to the tram stop.

i have noticed though, whilst walking around there that there are vents in the ground, like what you would find at a landfill site. im not sure what their purpose is.

Edit: although i have found something that states some areas of manchester suffer from heavy contamination from its industrial past. it lists these however as being in east manchester in the main and doesnt mention pomona, salford or any kind of explosion at a chemical plant.

True yes, but that was down to the type of bomb the yanks used in these areas, the radioactive halflife of this type of radioactive material is nothing like the type of stuff used in Chernobyl or modern nuclear missiles. Today the radiation levels are parallel with background radiation.

Depending on the type of chemicals manufactured at the factory on Pomona will dictate whether they can build on it or not. Whatever they were making at this factory has seeped into the ground making it unsuitable. The soil samples could contain anything from asbestos to heavy metals. Not only can this affect the piles/foundations of any future new build in terms of corrosion, but it also raises the question of whether you would want to live on ground affected by these contaminents. At the end of the day its the cost of removing these chemicals from the ground that will determine whether the site is built on I reckon. :2cents:

Depending on the type of chemicals manufactured at the factory on Pomona will dictate whether they can build on it or not. Whatever they were making at this factory has seeped into the ground making it unsuitable. The soil samples could contain anything from asbestos to heavy metals. Not only can this affect the piles/foundations of any future new build in terms of corrosion, but it also raises the question of whether you would want to live on ground affected by these contaminents. At the end of the day its the cost of removing these chemicals from the ground that will determine whether the site is built on I reckon. :2cents:

And the value of the land should they be removed. In a few years it's going to be at the heart of the Metrolink network with frequent connections all over the county, which would make it a potentially very lucrative area should the economy bounce back at a decent pace.

It's Peel and Trafford though, so I wouldn't expect anything happening until the rewards are calculated as considerable.

There could be some really nasty never-going-away carcinogenic time-bomb chemicals under there. IIRC there was docks and a paint factory there at one time. They built one block (offices not flats) a road, all the lighting and then stopped. Bit odd for what was a prime bit of land. Is this what Middlebrook will look like in 5 years time? :(

i have noticed though, whilst walking around there that there are vents in the ground, like what you would find at a landfill site. im not sure what their purpose is.

Methane vents. I imagine the building on the Island is probably far enough away from the contaminated bit to be a problem, think there offices.

Methane vents. I imagine the building on the Island is probably far enough away from the contaminated bit to be a problem, think there offices.

why does the site require methane venting? what have they buried there? also if there was a paint factory there, explosion or not, there is likely to be a lot of nasty stuff in the ground. they used to use arsenic to make green paint until the middle of the 20th century. i dont know what other chemicals were used, but i would imagine there would be a lot of heavy metals involved.

before the docks were filled in, it doesnt look like there would be room for a factory on pomona island.

double post soz

why does the site require methane venting? Well..............errrmmm.......................to vent methane;). To be honest that was just a guess, without doing an intrusive survey or seeing the soil reports ive not got a clue.


[/QUOTE]before the docks were filled in, it doesnt look like there would be room for a factory on pomona island.[/QUOTE]

your kidding.......its frikin massive....you could fit the gmex on there. have a look on google maps fella

looking at the pictures from the pomona thread there doesnt seem to be too much space there (thats before the docks have been filled) however there is one factory-like structure with chimneys near the st georges...

I think though it's best to enquire with irwell river park rather than keep speculating...

This exhaustive report shows that the articles manufactured on the side of the works where the explosion occurred were picric acid,
nitrate of lead, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid (nitre cake .and salt cake), tin crystals, tin solutions, nitrate of iron, nitrate of copper, aurin,
Manchester brown, Manchester yellow, lakes for paper stainers and emerald green. Such raw materials as carbolic acid, sulphuric
acid and litharge, the litharge being used for making nitrate of lead, were all present, the latter salt in very considerable quantity; some
nitrate of strontium was also present.
^^
This is an extract from this http://www.colorantshistory.org/RobertsDaleCompany.html article giving the details of the chemicals that might be found onsite if anyone is interested, some pretty nasty chemicals where used at the factory.

Anyway im of to the boozer:cheers: you all have a nice weekend

Latest article on the Central Salford website:

Irwell River Park Funding

The next stage of Irwell River Park has been given the green light from Salford City Council, with £614,583 of funding.

...

"During the next few months we plan to not only deliver the new Salford Routeway but also new public realm and bridges at MediaCityUK, Trafford Wharf Promenade and Spinningfields."

http://www.centralsalford.com/index.php?page=content&block=8&sub=&newsid=1044

Irwell River Park rolls onto the web, courtesy of RMS
Monday, 04 October 2010

Altrincham’s RMS has launched the website for Irwell River Park, the £72m regeneration programme covering the area stretching eight kilometres from Salford Quays to The Meadows.

The site has been created to build the profile of the scheme and engage with local residents, stakeholders and potential investors.
Agency MD Ruth Shearn said that her staff “relished working on the design and copy” for the site, crafting elements such as hand-drawn illustrations to create stand-out for the portal.

RMS’ PR team is working alongside its creative department to provide publicity support for the development.

You can see the new site here www.irwellriverpark.com

Irwell River Park is supported by the local authorities of Manchester, Trafford and Salford and funded through a combination of public and private sector investment.

So far £45m has been secured for the development.

www.rmspr.co.uk
http://www.how-do.co.uk/north-west-media-news/north-west-digital-media/irwell-river-park-rolls-onto-the-web,-courtesy-of-rms-201010049241/

Salford City Council has committed £614,000 for a new routeway connection between the Quays and Salford Central/Spinningfields and £120,000 has been confirmed from the North West Development Agency, through Red Rose Forest, to deliver major environmental improvements at The Meadows.

Salford’s routeway connection will deliver 2.5 km of new and improved walkway and cycle routes between Trafford Road and Princes Bridge’s. The area will also benefit from enhanced lighting, signage, environmental improvements and better accessibility between the riverside and adjacent neighbourhoods, particularly Ordsall. The project will also deliver improvements to the waterway such as the removal of invasive weeds and better facilities for local rowers and anglers.

The funding will also mean environmental improvements at The Meadows can continue as part of the Forestry Commission and North West Development Agency partnership programme, Newlands, creating a safer, more attractive natural environment.

Following the completion of a new 1.1km footpath made of recycled materials, the next phase of work will include a new entrance, woodland and meadow planting, and the creation of wetlands. The project will improve the Meadows’ accessibility, attractiveness and biodiversity, and encourage wildlife.

These two projects form part of the long term vision for Irwell River Park, to create an international waterfront destination for the Manchester City Region. Incorporating an 8km sustainable transport corridor which will connect £3 billion of economic and development investment between Salford Quays and Crescent Meadows.

Irwell River Park is co-ordinated by Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company (URC) and the project is being delivered through a partnership of the three local authorities - Salford, Manchester and Trafford, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, private sector partners and the community.

http://www.irwellriverpark.com/two-key-projects-within-irwell-river-park-to-go-ahead.html

^^where are these meadows and wetlands it refers too?

^^where are these meadows and wetlands it refers too?

Sorry ignore the last post, just found the meadows on the presentation

On the tram coming through Pomona yesterday afternoon and see they've started work on the Soapworks development.

From this morning's Insider NW...

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/north-west/41825-work-starts-soapworks-project

Work starts on Soapworks project
Last updated: Mon 8th November, 2010 | Time: 08:50am

Asset manager The Carlyle Group has started development work at its Soapworks scheme in Salford Quays. Carlyle acquired the site in October 2008 in conjunction with joint venture partner Abstract Nikal Management. It achieved planning consent for an office and mixed use scheme in September.

When completed, the former Colgate Palmolive factory is set to provide 380,000 sq ft of office space, set to be supported by hotel uses and ancillary consumer space on the ground floor including retail, restaurants and a gym.

Contractors Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed to commence phase one of the project, designed by Shed KM, which comprises the development of the former Boiler House into four floors of office space, totalling 25,000 sq ft, which is scheduled to be available for occupation by June 2011.

Soapworks is located within the wider MediaCityUK area, set to become the new home for BBC North.

Mark Harris, director of The Carlyle Group, said: "There has been strong interest in the scheme, and we are in the process of talking to a number of prospective tenants across a number of sectors, who are attracted to the architectural qualities of the building, its location and by the fact that we are able to offer rents of around half those of central Manchester.

"It is a great project and we are very excited about continuing the renovation of this historic area into an iconic, vibrant, mixed-use scheme for the North West."

Lots of work going on at the irwell quays opposite soapworks today...looks like they are clearing the whole area.....not sure where to post this....hope this is the right thread!!

Lots of work going on at the irwell quays opposite soapworks today...looks like they are clearing the whole area.....not sure where to post this....hope this is the right thread!!

i dont think that work is related to the irwell city park project. i think it is to do with peel turning the road that runs through pomona docks into a through route, with a view to collecting more match day revenue when united play. its been discussed in more detail on the pomona docks thread if you are interested.

i dont think that work is related to the irwell city park project. i think it is to do with peel turning the road that runs through pomona docks into a through route, with a view to collecting more match day revenue when united play. its been discussed in more detail on the pomona docks thread if you are interested.

Thanks for the heads up Gdogg:)

Manchester to borrow £227m for capital projects

10 Feb 2011, 11:07

Manchester City Council has revealed details of its capital programme for the next three years, detailing projects that are safe from the cutbacks announced earlier this week.

.....

Irwell River Park £2m, dependent on partner contributions

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/8290-manchester-to-borrow-227m-for-capital-projects.html

I have just discovered this website...apologies in advance if it has been added before, but certainly makes interesting reading

http://irwellriverpark.co.uk/irwell_river_park_scheme.html

The pathway between The Lowry Hotel and Bridge St is well on the way. A small path, but will make a real pleasing difference.

Ducklings enjoying the delights of the River Irwell.

http://www.soviart.com/stuff/Image0319a.jpg

And there always someone on this forum willing to show the world , every grotty shit stain Manchester has to offer .

Litter is something that really annoy's me , but we live in a country where a lot of inconciderate lazy bastads live .

PUT IT IN THE FUCKING BIN

The Irwell where it passes underneath Regent Road was a tip today. I'm not posting pics like that trying to have a go at Manchester, I just thought it was an interesting shot. The ducks looked like they actually enjoyed the rubbish!

The work they've done to improve the pathway is underwhelming so far. A few new benches but not much else. It's a very promising site (the banks of the Irwell) in terms of connectivity to SQ and the city centre, but it will need a much larger and comprehensive redevelopment involving neighbouring landowners to make it justify it's promise.

The Irwell where it passes underneath Regent Road was a tip today. I'm not posting pics like that trying to have a go at Manchester, I just thought it was an interesting shot. The ducks looked like they actually enjoyed the rubbish!

The work they've done to improve the pathway is underwhelming so far. A few new benches but not much else. It's a very promising site (the banks of the Irwell) in terms of connectivity to SQ and the city centre, but it will need a much larger and comprehensive redevelopment involving neighbouring landowners to make it justify it's promise.

Not having a go at you fella ,,im just getting pissed off everytime i look on SSC lately its just moaning about this moaning about that , negative comments about everything thats being built

On a lighter note i hope this Irwell City Park becomes reality , i see the walkway from Riverside to the Lowrt hotel is coming on :)

The Irwell where it passes underneath Regent Road was a tip today. I'm not posting pics like that trying to have a go at Manchester, I just thought it was an interesting shot. The ducks looked like they actually enjoyed the rubbish!

The work they've done to improve the pathway is underwhelming so far. A few new benches but not much else. It's a very promising site (the banks of the Irwell) in terms of connectivity to SQ and the city centre, but it will need a much larger and comprehensive redevelopment involving neighbouring landowners to make it justify it's promise.

Thats not entirely correct all the railings have been painted along the river, the lamp posts are also being painted, the whole pathway has been jet washed, (as have some of the walls) all benches have been replaced with new ones..this is just phase one...I feel the improvements are noticable.

The problem I have with much of the path is that it is narrow and largely hidden away. This is what I'm getting at when I say about neighbouring landowners having to be involved. It needs to be opened up a lot more to make it inviting for people. At the moment I wouldn't recommend my girlfriend walks down there for instance.

Superficial improvements are likely to be temporary (indeed I noticed most of the banners advertising the improvements have already been vandalised) whilst it remains hidden away and feeling mildly dangerous.

The problem I have with much of the path is that it is narrow and largely hidden away. This is what I'm getting at when I say about neighbouring landowners having to be involved. It needs to be opened up a lot more to make it inviting for people. At the moment I wouldn't recommend my girlfriend walks down there for instance.

Superficial improvements are likely to be temporary (indeed I noticed most of the banners advertising the improvements have already been vandalised) whilst it remains hidden away and feeling mildly dangerous.

I have started to use the pathway recently and noticed how many joggers and cyclists there are using it, so it would appear that the improvements are paying off.

To be fair, I did see a few joggers and was thinking about using it for running myself. The views from either side of the Irwell going towards town are superb. Hopefully future phases will see further improvements.

To be fair, I did see a few joggers and was thinking about using it for running myself. The views from either side of the Irwell going towards town are superb. Hopefully future phases will see further improvements.

Hve you been up as far as the Soapworks yet? and also if you do well worth a visit to the beautifully restored Ordsall Hall.

I'm past Soapworks all the time, usually on a tram. It is how the whole of that side of the Irwell should be. Low walls, much more open and inviting. I like the pathway/square they've created down the side of Soapworks and onto Ordsall Lane. Again, exactly like it should be. It's unfortunate, and I guess an accident of history, that most of the rest of the path is fronted by high walls or security fence.

I'm past Soapworks all the time, usually on a tram. It is how the whole of that side of the Irwell should be. Low walls, much more open and inviting. I like the pathway/square they've created down the side of Soapworks and onto Ordsall Lane. Again, exactly like it should be. It's unfortunate, and I guess an accident of history, that most of the rest of the path is fronted by high walls or security fence.

I think the plan is alot of the fencing etc will eventually come down..this is part of the redevelopment of the area, as we know the unit infront of the Hall has come down and makes a huge difference, hopefully the rest will follow.

Ducklings enjoying the delights of the River Irwell.

<pedant>Goslings</pedant>

:D

Best,
Slip

To be fair, I did see a few joggers and was thinking about using it for running myself. The views from either side of the Irwell going towards town are superb. Hopefully future phases will see further improvements.

the joggers (of which i am one) were all using it before those improvements began. it doesnt look much different, but it is much easier to use. they have levelled and tarmaced the section from regent road bridge to liverpool street for example, when previously it was an uneven dirt track with trees growing across it. it is more functional improvements than beautification at present. i agree it does all seem a bit underwhelming though. the problem is that the area it runs through is still pretty run down. if the irwell does ever get fully redeveloped, there will be a lot more people around, the ambience will improve and the scope for widening the path will be there.

until then the fact that it runs through a semi abandoned part of salford is always going to give the area an air of menance.

finally at present the fact that the path terminates at princes bridge rather than running the full 8km round to the pint pot in salford means that the full advantages of the location are not yet being realised. there isnt any other way to train for 10km runs (a very popular distance these days) other than traffic dodging and road running if you live in the centre of manchester/salford. this will encourage even more joggers to use once it is done which will hopefully help to create a bit more of a buzz about the place and remove a bit of the fear factor.

Decided to cycle home through Orsdall and the Quays for a change tonight. A quite depressing experience - what should be the riverside walk is largely off-limits behind private gates of properties that front onto the river. It hadn't struck me before just how fenced-off a lot of the quays is - almost all of what must have previously been open streets are now the car parks of the office blocks, with no through way. Very restrictive and very off-putting to pedestrians.

Hmm.
Got some nice photos of the sunset from Trafford Bridge though.

Sorry for the OT!

Decided to cycle home through Orsdall and the Quays for a change tonight. A quite depressing experience - what should be the riverside walk is largely off-limits behind private gates of properties that front onto the river. It hadn't struck me before just how fenced-off a lot of the quays is - almost all of what must have previously been open streets are now the car parks of the office blocks, with no through way. Very restrictive and very off-putting to pedestrians.

Hmm.
Got some nice photos of the sunset from Trafford Bridge though.

Sorry for the OT!

I think we must give these new initiatives a chance, thsi is the beginning of a new phase for this part of the riverside, the Soapworks is a superb project and really is the catalyst for the new programme...personally I think it will be a superb part of the city when this project is complete.

It hadn't struck me before just how fenced-off a lot of the quays is - almost all of what must have previously been open streets are now the car parks of the office blocks, with no through way. Very restrictive and very off-putting to pedestrians.


That is an accurate summary of most of the Quays. It really frustrates me as it's so tempting to fantasise about how great the Quays could be (some people seem to have embraced that fantasy whole-heartedly). But when you actually try to walk round the place and continue to meet dead-ends, roads to nowhere, buildings that stick 2 fingers up to the street and fences galore, you see that the reality is very different. It'll never have a city centre feel, and even it does it would be a poor one.

^^....that's not to say I don't support initiatives to improve the area: I do, of course.

Sorry if it's a silly question, but will a bridge ever be built from this development to Pomona Met stop? I realise Exchange Quay is nearby but that's a wiggly path away and you could easily get lost if you don't know the area, but with Pomona it would be a straight bridge across ...

Just to bring this over into here, looking back at some of the early info, it does look like they were considering an Ordsall/Pomona bridge, shown next to 2 here,

http://i55.tinypic.com/s67vj6.jpg

and a quote from a 2008 review of the scheme,
Ordsall/Pomona Bridge is included at an estimated cost of £4m, reflecting the importance of its contribution to ICP in terms of improved connectivity and accessibility and provision of a more sustainable transport network

...but there's no mention in the recent stuff, just a possible replacement bridge at Woden St, with the existing one moved to provide access to Cornbrook Met. I guess any future Pomona bridge would be very much dependent on whatever plans Peel have.

http://i54.tinypic.com/2s6vek2.jpg

Just been reading this article on the removal of the 'Graffiti Palace',
http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=1011

got me looking at the short term plans they've got to supposedly 'tidy it up', screening the derelict sites with hoardings(that will last up to 10yrs),

http://i53.tinypic.com/28v7urm.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/x4qljb.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/21ctjbq.jpg

taken from this Feb-11 doc,

Irwell River Park - Commitment of Remaining Funds 2010/11 (https://services.salford.gov.uk/solar_documents/PLMR090211E.DOC)

I guess they are up against it with some of the landowners fronting the path, reluctant to commit any capital to the project, sorting out fences etc.

I don't think putting up slightly larger green fences is going to help.

I don't think putting up slightly larger green fences is going to help.

the success of transforming the irwell city park into a key assest for the city is going to be directly linked to what is developed around it. otherwise it is going to be limited to be being a slightly more user friendly footpath through a wasteland.

even that bare minimum will work out well for me though. with some of the proposed bridges and crossings i will have a variety of running routes of different lengths i can use without having to cross a single road along the way.

I still think the majority of the docks nearer Cornbrook should be turned into a lush waterside park or botanical gardens, it'll be a great destination between the City Centre and the Quays, would enhance nearby Ordsall Hall and not turn the Irwell path opposide into 'just' a route connecting the CC & the Quays. Cornbrook Station would be the best way to access it, meaning the station is merely not just an 'interchange' either.

The Pomona end of the docks should be developed for offices, apartments, hotel etc though giving Pomona Station some footfall too!

I still think the majority of the docks nearer Cornbrook should be turned into a lush waterside park or botanical gardens, it'll be a great destination between the City Centre and the Quays, would enhance nearby Ordsall Hall and not turn the Irwell path opposide into 'just' a route connecting the CC & the Quays. Cornbrook Station would be the best way to access it, meaning the station is merely not just an 'interchange' either.

The Pomona end of the docks should be developed for offices, apartments, hotel etc though giving Pomona Station some footfall too!

parks dont make any money and cost money to run. pomona is too central and too valuable as an area for redevelopment when the economy picks up to allow it to be used as public gardens. plus if it was, it would remain an isolated area. parks in general attract undesirables after dark and having a massive one overlooked by precious little in the way of civilisation is going to do little to improve the feeling of unease that some people feel when on foot in the pomona/irwell/ordsall area.

Maybe, but there could be residents of the park (e.g. Rowing club, stalls, events etc) And the fact Peel have had it for x amount of years doing nothing doesn't help either! And if it was botanical gardens, you could pay to enter the gardens etc...

The potential is big of course, but whilst there are other brownfield sites more central (Middlewood Locks, Southern Gateway) and others still being developed (Media City, Noma, Spinningfields/Granada) the likeliness of this being developed soon is minimal, so some sort of beautification is needed to make it attractive to the wider public as opposed to developers whilst it sits dormant for however much longer!

And we need a decent park close to the city centre and until Peel Park is brought up to some sort of acceptable standard, then we'll have to do with, well, nothing much!

Indeed, a park can be mixed-use as well as recreational. Although not fully developed, Campbell Park in Milton Keynes has a mix of residential and commercial development around the perimeter, with a cricket pavillion and 'Parks Trust' offices at the centre.

Most other public parks (Whitworth, Birchfields, Heaton, Philips, etc.) are just a bit too far from the inner/regional centre.

The hoardings are a terrible idea, IMO. A similar effort was made further up the Riverside near Greengate, for a site that Urban Splash never (yet) developed. The area became completely undesirable in both daylight and darkness because of a 'tunnel' effect.

The Ordsall estate plan suggests there's a bridge in mind.

http://www.bptw.co.uk/images/Projects/Ordsall/Ordsall%20-%20large%20image%201.jpg

http://www.bptw.co.uk/projects/architecture/places/ordsallestate.html

From Peel's point of view you'd imagine they'd want this bridge as it paves the way for a more direct pedestrian/cycle route between town and the Quays.

The Ordsall estate plan suggests there's a bridge in mind.

http://www.bptw.co.uk/images/Projects/Ordsall/Ordsall%20-%20large%20image%201.jpg

http://www.bptw.co.uk/projects/architecture/places/ordsallestate.html

From Peel's point of view you'd imagine they'd want this bridge as it paves the way for a more direct pedestrian/cycle route between town and the Quays.


Bridges are often promised and never delivered. I remember one being promised for the Beswick Green Route - 7 years later, neither the bridge or the route are built.

Once you have left the City Centre using the Chester Road cycleway, and then crossed the River via Woden Street Bridge, the quickest way to the centre (rather than the edge) of the Quays is to take Pheobe Street or Robert Hall Street. Most of the streets are cul-de-sacs for motor vehicles, but plenty of through (non-signposted) links for pedestrians and cyclists.

The neighbouring land is absolutely key.

On that tack, does anyone know what is happening with the large site that has recently been cleared, opposite Ordsall Hall?

On the Irwell side it has what must be more than 100m of high brick wall topped with security wire. Is anything planned for this site? Will the wall be removed? It is precisely walls like these that need demolishing in order for 'Irwell River Park' to escape the muggers alley feeling it has now.

The neighbouring land is absolutely key.

On that tack, does anyone know what is happening with the large site that has recently been cleared, opposite Ordsall Hall?

On the Irwell side it has what must be more than 100m of high brick wall topped with security wire. Is anything planned for this site? Will the wall be removed? It is precisely walls like these that need demolishing in order for 'Irwell River Park' to escape the muggers alley feeling it has now.


Give it time...its not been demolished for nothing...we must remember this is an emerging project, and still very much in its infancy.

Give it time...its not been demolished for nothing...we must remember this is an emerging project, and still very much in its infancy.

So no info on this site? Who owns it? Peel?

So no info on this site? Who owns it? Peel?

The council own it, I think the plan is for something like this (http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/ordsallhall-2.gif).

The May forward plan (https://services.salford.gov.uk/solar_documents/SRSC%2009051106%20FORWARD%20PLAN%20MAY%202011.DOC) suggested a design comp might be held for it,
32 Vanguard Site / RIBA Design Competition (Appointment of Preferred Design Team) and progression of site delivery - July 2011 – March 2012

but all that's on the June/July one is,
Vanguard Site / Remediation Strategy - April - December 2011

£500k worth of remediation?

http://www.salford.gov.uk/forward.htm

Thanks nq. The first picture looks good. I'd prefer more separation between the buildings, less bulk, and generally as much office use as the market will stand.

The walkway is now starting to become alot more clearer at Riverside.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7544/spinngingfields19thjuly.jpg

And the new Office Reception for Riverside.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/7544/spinngingfields19thjuly.jpg

more stuff http://www.irwellriverpark.co.uk/salford-city-council-and-apem-set-sail-on-the-irwell-pride-to-clean-up-the-river.html

more stuff http://www.irwellriverpark.co.uk/salford-city-council-and-apem-set-sail-on-the-irwell-pride-to-clean-up-the-river.html

That's great news, well done to the volunteers making this happen.

The Rochdale/Bridgewater canal could do with something similar too as the amount of litter in both waterways is ridiculous and really brings the areas down.

I'm not sure what it is about bodies of water that makes people think it's ok to throw stuff into them.

That's great news, well done to the volunteers making this happen.

The Rochdale/Bridgewater canal could do with something similar too as the amount of litter in both waterways is ridiculous and really brings the areas down.

I'm not sure what it is about bodies of water that makes people think it's ok to throw stuff into them.

The wind blows the litter along from other areas too! Even though a limited amount of litter bins have been grudgingly provided, they aren't emptied often enough.

"Designs have been finalised for the Anaconda stretch of the River Irwell to reflect community views and a proposed increase in funding for the project by Salford City Council."

http://www.salfordonline.com/localnews_page/29447-river_irwell,_salford_-_greening_plans_in_place.html

http://www.salixhomes.org/3412.htm

Between Manchester Cathedral and Chapel St:

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/IRP.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/IRPar.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/IRPa.jpg

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x284/gshutty/IRPa.jpg


Oof! That wall needs a good scrub!

Best,
Slip

Well it took longer than I thought it might, but the graffiti is back along the river in Ordsall - and I hope more follows.

I don't like seeing 'tags' on the lampposts and benches but some of the graffiti on the walls is great and there are certain places where good graffiti should be encouraged.

I think it'd be very difficult to make this stretch of river a less hostile place - graffiti or no graffiti. It's the walls' height that make it a less than hospitable place and as most of them will stay, they might as well be used by people to add a bit of colour.

Well if the Council or other agencies won't provide the 'art', or sculpture, what is wrong with people making it themselves?

As long as it is done on a reasonable basis, and not just a repetitive tagging of each and every item of street furniture, I don't see the problem.

I used the section between Princes Bridge and the link path to Ordsall Hall, it is much cleaner, brighter, with trees cut back and weeds removed from the path and water, but still could do with a bit of head height bramble/weed clearance.

Some signage directing people to use it wouldn't go amiss either. It is planned to be done soon (as part of designation for NCN National Route 556), but not sure when.

Not sure if these have been posted before. Probably have. Plenty of PDF's and more renders. Link under the renders. Enjoy.

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/3489/pdf1u.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3510/pdf2.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2918/pdf3.jpg

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6853/pdf5.jpg

http://www.irwellriverpark.com/

The "Boulevard of Heroes"??? (Numbers 9 and 13 on the Quays pictures), sounds very ominous

Think those went up sometime last year, project needed a bump anyway.

Reminds me actually, Clippers Quay bridge appeared in SCC's forward plan (http://www.salford.gov.uk/forward.htm) this month, item # 72, construction probably a way off but still.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/clippersquay-2.gif (http://www.formassociates.eu/project.php?id=1&cat=6)


p.s. needs merging with this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=417153&page=10).

The ghost of Chapel Wharf looking epic. :lol: Also note the midrise further along past the bridge. Wonder if that was Bruntwoods hotel/office proposal which never saw the light of day?

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6853/pdf5.jpg

That area around Adelphi and Islington is going to be a pricey postcode in a few years time :) hopefully those two towerblocks will get refurbs similar to the ones at Hulme?

Same with Ordsall, they'll both be very desirable addresses in a few years time.

The "Boulevard of Heroes"??? (Numbers 9 and 13 on the Quays pictures), sounds very ominous


Good grief. I think the boulevard of heroes sounds remarkably dodgy.

Remarkably dodgy.

Is any of this real or is it renderbatory.

It could just mean to suggest childhood football heroes, instead, 'Boulevard of Heroes' is grandiose to the point of perversion. Heroes Lane might be appropriate?

It could just mean to suggest childhood football heroes, instead, 'Boulevard of Heroes' is grandiose to the point of perversion. Heroes Lane might be appropriate?

I know what its suggesting, and without even seeing a jot of any proposals, I can safely say this just really smacks of Disneyland tat, and we all know that's what it'll look like. A statue in tacky fake metal of David Beckham, followed by one of Ronaldo, and so on, all the way down the road. Yuk.

To be honest, I'm not really bothered about the word "Boulevard", its the term "Heroes" that troubles me, I shudder to think about what cheap corporate Trafford Centre-esque street linings are now planned for that road. This isnt an objection to statues in general of former United figures, the Busby statue is very appropriate.

Hopefully it'll never come to fruition anyway, or perhaps I've read too much into the naming of this street, lets hope anyway that we can just carry on remembering legendary United players properly in the future..

Stretch between the Lowry and New Bailey Street

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn252/Cityplanner/DSC00115.jpg

I know what its suggesting, and without even seeing a jot of any proposals, I can safely say this just really smacks of Disneyland tat, and we all know that's what it'll look like. A statue in tacky fake metal of David Beckham, followed by one of Ronaldo, and so on, all the way down the road. Yuk.

To be honest, I'm not really bothered about the word "Boulevard", its the term "Heroes" that troubles me, I shudder to think about what cheap corporate Trafford Centre-esque street linings are now planned for that road. This isnt an objection to statues in general of former United figures, the Busby statue is very appropriate.

Hopefully it'll never come to fruition anyway, or perhaps I've read too much into the naming of this street, lets hope anyway that we can just carry on remembering legendary United players properly in the future..


I quite like the word boulevard. In Nottingham the main highways have that term and it doesn't feel stupid or ironic.

But I agree Grand. Heroes is quite a term to use. For me its either something ancient Greek or Fenian or something modern which encompasses individuals who take a moral stance or help their community.

And don't get me on Hegel, Nietzsche or Rand.

Not millionaire footballers.

What next the City cul de sac of Demigods next to the flea market at Grey Mare Lane?

The FC back alley in of Heroes. Rory, Norton and Big Ben D next to the Curry House on Nuthurst Road.

"Eat our baliti, next to Margey."

I guess it will serve a purpose. It might remind a certain match day dynamic who think football was invented in 1994, if it has fellas pre dating that time.

Think those went up sometime last year, project needed a bump anyway.

Reminds me actually, Clippers Quay bridge appeared in SCC's forward plan (http://www.salford.gov.uk/forward.htm) this month, item # 72, construction probably a way off but still.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff303/spoonsbeatfish/clippersquay-2.gif (http://www.formassociates.eu/project.php?id=1&cat=6)


p.s. needs merging with this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=417153&page=10).

are these various bridges all confirmed funded from somewhere? i seem to remember a figure of £600,000 being quoted a while ago for the whole project. that doesnt seem a lot to do all this work...

Apologies if this is not the first (not read the thread) but I've just seen an Irwell River Park sign in real life and it's looking great.

It went up this morning next to the Joseph Brotherton statue on the Salford bank Riverside re-development. No camera with me today but it looks very impressive, totem pole style layout, nice branding lots of information about what can be found in each direction and where it is located on the whole Quays to MEN stretch.

On a separate note, did I read somewhere that they will be getting rid of the Woden Street/Mark Addy bridge some time ago, can't seem to see the info for looking?

More work is now staring on this project, with a refresh of the stairs by Trafford Rd Bridge,...

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/trakkie/P3220433.jpg

also work is starting on what will eventuall become part of the cycle path...

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/trakkie/P3220434.jpg

and an upgrade of lighting taking place with the replacement of the original globe lightfittings with more directional lighting...

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/trakkie/P3220435.jpg