Waterway to get to the shops!(aerial image below)

SHOPPERS will be able to go to the Trafford Centre by boat on the first canal to be built in Greater Manchester for more than 100 years.

They will be ferried there in Venetian-style water taxis from Salford Quays.

Property developer Peel Holdings, which owns the Trafford Centre, has been granted planning permission to build the 600-metre canal linking Trafford Boulevard, which runs alongside the Trafford Centre, with the Manchester Ship Canal.

The new canal will create the potential to build lucrative waterside apartments and offices alongside the new spur on a section of vacant land belonging to Peel Holdings.

Trafford council granted permission for the new canal and it is estimated that building work will take around a year although no start date has yet been set.

'Trafford Quays'

Mike Butterworth, property director of Peel Holdings, said: "We have a site opposite the Trafford Centre which we would like to see developed.

"We thought as a first step we would like to introduce some water into the site, which we are planning to called Trafford Quays.

We hope one day to be able to develop it, but in the meantime we want to run water taxis from the Trafford Centre to Salford Quays. We are now working on the technical challenges.

"If you go to York a trip along the river it is part of a day out and we are hoping to achieve that kind of leisure appeal.

"It would be particularly interesting if the BBC re-locate to Salford Quays because the new building will be on land adjacent to the canal, meaning a direct link to the Trafford Centre."


Venice

Company bosses are hoping that if they win the race to re-home the BBC at the Quays, the water taxis will be a transport link for the new headquarters. It was announced last week that the company has been shortlisted to build the new headquarters if the Salford site is chosen over one near the existing HQ on Oxford Road.

It has not been decided how frequently the taxis would run or how many people they would carry.

The Manchester Ship Canal was the last canal to be built in Greater Manchester, completed in 1894.

Engineering historian Paul Dunkerley, who has created a heritage trail including Greater Manchester's canals for the Museum of Science and Industry, said he was excited by the plans.

He said: "The most recent canal built was the Ribble link in Lancashire, which opened for the Millennium, but I think the last new canal to open in Manchester was the ship canal.

"I have used the water taxis in Venice and they are wonderful."

The plans are likely to spark speculation that if the water taxis prove a success, the Trafford Centre will be tempted to shelve plans to pay for its own Metrolink line at some point in the future.

But a spokeswoman for the centre insisted that was not the case.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/trev.jpg

Sounds good to me, if it was a success they would surely extend it into Manchester city centre.

Sounds good to me, if it was a success they would surely extend it into Manchester city centre.

They've tried these water buses before, but they never work (financially). It's a gimmic. Who's gonna spend and hour or so on a boat from town or the Quays to the Traffic Centre, when you can get there by car, bus or tram/bus?
They'll be building Trafford Quay canal extension to build offices along it - not for anything else.

I remember reading an article probably a couple of years ago now, Peel were on about forming Trafford Quays then and were touting it as an area to build loads of new houses and apartments, so who knows.

Looking at that image - how far up the ship canal from the new canal is it before you reach the Quays?
I reckon this plan could be great with decent boats. The ones that travel up and down the river in Chester seem to motor along, so I dont think it'll take an hour to get to the Trafford centre unless its much further than I think it is.

Its not that far along really, but there is at least 1 maybe 2 sets of locks that would make the journey longer, but it still wouldn't take that long really with decent boats. Even into town from there it wouldn't take much longer.

Looking at that image - how far up the ship canal from the new canal is it before you reach the Quays?
I reckon this plan could be great with decent boats. The ones that travel up and down the river in Chester seem to motor along, so I dont think it'll take an hour to get to the Trafford centre unless its much further than I think it is.

The spur is between the old and new barton bridges. It's a straight run to the quays of about 4 miles, with nothing of any interest to see except for the grain and chemical facilities in Eccles. Then however long it takes to get from the quays into town.

What a great idea. Thanks for bringing us this jrb. It'll make Salford Quays all the more attractive. It sounds like it's something to do with Peel's BBC bid. Maybe they've been having a chat, and somebody said "but there's no shops at Salford Quays", and somebody else said "how about a water taxi to the Trafford Centre", and the first somebody then replied saying "oooh, now I like the sound of that".

It would be particularly interesting if the BBC re-locate to Salford Quays because the new building will be on land adjacent to the canal, meaning a direct link to the Trafford Centre.

This was supposed to have been built for when the Trafford Centre opened. Still, at least it appears to be moving now. It'd be quite awesome if there was a special speedboat style taxi service from the Quays and this new planned Mariner thing to whisk people from town/Quays up the Irwell to the TC for a shopping trip.

In fact that'd be awesome. Speedboat city centre taxi service.

And there's no need for it to stop at Salford Quays.

Aye, it'd be nice to have a proper service all the way to Liverpool but considering the recent steps to clean up the ship canal, I wouldn't want a return to a past of busy waterways. It needs to be a properly regulated waterway, after all, we use the area for the interntional triathlon thingy so I doubt it'd be that great a move to pollute a recently regained asset.

Aye, it'd be nice to have a proper service all the way to Liverpool but considering the recent steps to clean up the ship canal, I wouldn't want a return to a past of busy waterways. It needs to be a properly regulated waterway, after all, we use the area for the interntional triathlon thingy so I doubt it'd be that great a move to pollute a recently regained asset.

Fair point, but isn't Erie Basin where the swimming leg of the triathalon is held seperated from the ship canal proper.

I never understood why they gave away speedboats as prizes on Bullseye. Makes perfect sense now.

Fair point, but isn't Erie Basin where the swimming leg of the triathalon is held seperated from the ship canal proper.

It is. The Loop Road seperates the majority of Erie Basin from the ship canal. Erie Basin is the connected to the other side of Dock 9 via Mariners Canal (links up with the Watersports centre), which is again blocked off from the canal.

i think in the future when manchester gets overpopulated (50years), we will all use water taxis because its pointless with cars

Excuse my cynicism but this has got PUBLICITY STUNT written all over it.

Peel more or less admit that the point of the canal is to turn Trafford Quays (where the Venus office building is) into a better and more profitable development site on a par with Salford Quays.

Can you honestly envisage people parking up or taking the tram to Salford Quays and taking what would be an incredibly long and incredibly slow journey from there to the Trafford Centre? Personally, I can't. I think this is more about opening up their adjacent site to development and enhancing Peel Holdings' future profitability than it is about water taxis.

The BBC luvvies won't shop at the Trafford Centre, they'd be more attracted to King St. boutiques and Harvey Nicks in town...

Course they will. And they ain't luvvies. Call 'em luvvies and they won't come.

Sure it's a publicity stunt. Good publicity for a good stunt. Water taxis would be nice, or tourist boats, or disco boats! It all adds to life's rich tapestry. And anyhow, as far as I'm concerned the more water and canals and attractive waterfront properties the better.

Stupid idea, have you seen the scenery along the way from SQ to the TC? Petrolium plants and flour mills galore!

For the time being Weasty.

In principal, it's a good idea. Everyone likes rivers and canals and people like being near water. However, I'm absolutely amazed that Peel are even daring to propose such a thing while there's no Metro line to the Trafford Centre. Fine, build the canal, but the Metro is surely more of a priority.

Griff,

From a practical point of view yes the Metro is a priority, however and yes it maybe gimmicky but from a tourist point of view the watertaxi is a great idea, even better if it went all the way round to the MEN ?

This is the view, not exactly Venice is it?

http://www.aidan.co.uk/lg/McrShpCnlMist3Y22.jpg

Of course not, it's one of the largest industrial zones in Europe. Is there an interest in industrial tourism?

From Crains.

BASE CREATED FOR WATER TAXIS

The government is giving its assistance to Peel Holdings over the Trafford-based developer's plans to bring water taxis to Salford Quays, which were first revealed in Crain's back in February. The Department for Transport is to issue an order under the Town and Country Planning Act that will allow stopping up work on Old Barton Road in Salford, which would be restricted to assist “the formation of a new canal arm and water taxi basin”. The work will also include the building of a new storage and maintenance building, formation of a new access road from Redclyffe Road, a new bridge over the new canal arm on Old Barton Road and a car park at Trafford Boulevard. Peel was granted planning consent to develop the canal basin and introduce water taxis in December 2005.-

At long last some concrete news on the proposed water Taxis or WAXIS.

In tray from Manchester Confidential. Click on website link for more information and a basic render of the proposed WAXIS.

EXCLUSIVE: Water Taxis (WAXIS) for Manchester?

Great idea arrives on Confidential's doorstep courtesy of a reader who ranted

This is an interesting one.

In response to our interview with the head of Metrolink, Philip Purdy, a chap called Steven ranted.

He’s from Manchester Water Taxis.

No, we’ve never heard of them either. But what he wrote was exciting.

It’s a dramatic route that shows Manchester has some geography. We think it’s a river journey to stand up to any in Europe’s second cities.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/14012009man1.jpg

This is what he says about his project: ‘www.manchesterwatertaxis.com is a business that I've set up to hopefully address some of the issues you've raised (in the article and the rants about Metrolink).

‘I plan to run water taxis or 'WAXIS' as I've nicknamed them between The Quays and Victoria Station. The service will be launched in December 2010 in conjunction with the opening of Media City UK.

‘The service will run every eight minutes from 6am until midnight, 364 days a year, and will I hope offer a stress free alternative way to travel across the city to those already on offer. Tickets will be available from the internet, pay point affiliated shops, the skippers of our WAXIS, and hopefully GMPTE travel shops.

‘I'm also planning on becoming a member of the System One Travelcard scheme so people can hop off a train, tram or bus straight onto a WAXIS.

‘I was going to hold off bringing attention to Manchester Water Taxis until next year but this article has generated so much debate I thought it only right to let you know first what I'm doing and hopefully to gauge your thoughts to my service.’

http://www.manchesterconfidential.com/images/29102008riv3.jpg

We’ve asked Steven to get in touch with us about this.

But it is a superb and very obvious plan for making Manchester’s infrastructure more efficient and interesting.

More pleasurable too. It’s got historical form as well, with the river being full of traffic until the second half of the twentieth century.

That traffic used to be for pleasure as well as trade and communication. A river boat service will be a massive boost for tourism as well as an extremely practical way of travelling between The Quays and the city centre. The former area should gain bags more life as a result.

There’s lot’s to see as the River Irwell becomes the Manchester Ship Canal. You start with a medieval Cathedral, and journey through a canyon of offices and apartments much enhanced in recent years by development on the Salford side of the city centre. Then you progress past the Civil Justice Centre and the People’s History Museum on the Manchester side, past Granada and MOSI to where the views open out at Pomona, on under the shadow of Manchester United to the striking profiles of the Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry. The journey concludes at the towers of Mediacity.

It’s a dramatic route that shows Manchester has some geography. We think it’s a river journey to stand up to any in Europe’s second cities.

Good one Mr Steven-whatever your name is.

Dreams like this are always good to have but this one we trust and hope will become a reality.

As much as I'd love this it's hard to see it being profitable.

The taxis hold 12 people and with a £2 charge for a 25 minute journey and at 2 journeys per, hour each boat will be raking in a measly £48 per hour.

Take away the driver's wages, fuel, the loan for your (very expensive) boat, a charge to Peel for using the water, plus the fact that for much of the day you're unlikely to fill it, it's never going to make any money.

Also to risk running over capacity and turning away punters on their way to work will quickly turn commuters off the idea.

I'd love this to happen though.

As much as I'd love this it's hard to see it being profitable.

The taxis hold 12 people and with a £2 charge for a 25 minute journey and at 2 journeys per, hour each boat will be raking in a measly £48 per hour.

Take away the driver's wages, fuel, the loan for your (very expensive) boat, a charge to Peel for using the water, plus the fact that for much of the day you're unlikely to fill it, it's never going to make any money.

Also to risk running over capacity and turning away punters on their way to work will quickly turn commuters off the idea.

I'd love this to happen though.

Those stats do seem to make the scheme unviable but if someone is planning to go ahead with the idea the business model must surely be better than first appearance. I would presume there would also be a substantial income from advertisements and or sponsorship.

As regards Peel, as the taxis (according to their website) will go as far as the Trafford Centre, Peel may have a special arrangement with them. They could provide free access to the waterway of even help subsidise the taxis to increase transport access of both Media City and the TC/Trafford Wharf.

What about the Media city pods, were they shelved or something? Would they not crowd the waterway? I can't remember how far they jutted out into the water. It certainly sounds like a fun method of tourism, and would bring some vibrancy to the front of Media city. As for going up to Victoria, probably sounds daft but it just seems too narrow for a transport route (not making the most of my spatial awareness :|).

Pity it isn't a more transparent/exposed boat for again that aspect of tourism.. for the sakes of the Lowry and Old Trafford if nothing else.

http://www.ferrytravel.com/sites/ferrytravel/uploads/CR_passing_Mayne.jpg

They need a tiny version of one of these, a double ended ferry to avoid turning on the Irwell. They could have a long narrow waterbus.

I hadn't noticed this thread before, but now I have, so I can post these photos of progress on the spur at the TC.

Two big holes have been dug along the spur, the first (closer to TC):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3238317891_11405dbee0.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alr1970/3238317891/in/set-72157604146647766/)

and the second:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3238317889_8303787cc9.jpg?v=0
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/alr1970/3238317889/in/set-72157604146647766/)
Both photos taken from the isthmus between the 2 pools. A manhole cover indicates that a sewer or something crosses the site here.

At the old Barton Lane, it looks like this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3238317895_f84f5cb88c.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alr1970/3238317895/in/photostream/)

I think that Peel have got a cheap digger gang in and done as much as possible for as little as possible. The spoil is just heaped up on the rest of the site. I imagine this is enough work to stop their planning permission elapsing, which happenned to the first version of this scheme.

Presumably the water is just the natural water table level.

I'm looking forward to seeing it finished, but until then it's a bit ugly.

Andrew

http://www.ferrytravel.com/sites/ferrytravel/uploads/CR_passing_Mayne.jpg

They need a tiny version of one of these, a double ended ferry to avoid turning on the Irwell. They could have a long narrow waterbus.

Good old BC Ferries, some very nice little trips you can go on with them. I'd love to see more provision for water travel in GM.

The pods were never going to happen, they were just put on the drawings for effect.

Although Peel ended up getting more enquiries for those than anything else on site.

Freelance brands Manchester water taxi service

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 | By Emily Pacey

Manchester-based freelance designer Dave Sedgwick is creating the branding for a new water taxi service for the city.

Steven Caldwell, the entrepreneur behind Manchester Water Taxis, appointed Sedgwick about six months ago without a pitch.

Caldwell briefed the designer to ‘come up with a branding concept that recalls New York taxis, but with a friendly twist’, says Sedgwick, adding that his solution also makes a reference to taxi cabs’ illuminated signs.

Sedgwick has completed the brand identity and a holding website, and is currently working on stationery, marketing materials and a website that will appear in the run-up to the taxi service’s launch in December 2010.

Caldwell, who is seeking more funding for the venture, is currently purchasing a fleet of water taxis, for which Sedgewick will design a livery.

The water taxis are intended to offer commuters an alternative to the Metrolink once Media City UK opens in Salford in 2011. They will stop at Manchester Victoria, Spinningfields, Exchange Key, Media City and the Trafford Centre.

http://www.designweek.co.uk/freelance-brands-manchester-water-taxi-service/3002094.article

Metrosplash?

Aqualink!

with stop at Pomona Strand to link into the trams, as Cornbrook is a bit too far from the Ship Canal?

In the days of proper integrated public transport, Metro/WYPTE, used to run a few Waterbus services, Brighouse - Mirfield, and Bingley - Saltaire. They had proper 'bus' stop poles along the bank too.

It'd be too much to ask for integrated branding, along with ticketing, like they have in the Docklands (DLR/Riverboat), wouldn't it?

Aqualink!

with stop at Pomona Strand to link into the trams, as Cornbrook is a bit too far from the Ship Canal?

I can't see that happening, due to Peel's involvement. They have absolutely no wish to get involved in anything to do with the Metrolink & from how I've read it, the 'WAXI' is in direct competition.

The docklands ferrys are not quite on the scale of New York and Hong Kongs Star ferrys as primary commuter channels though they do provide significant amounts, I cant see these being used for anything other than tourists at the size proposed and agree it would be difficult to see them profitable.

I do wonder if Peels just doing this as a cheaper alternative to a trafford metrolink line as a way of attracting shoppers from the city centre.

I can't see that happening, due to Peel's involvement. They have absolutely no wish to get involved in anything to do with the Metrolink & from how I've read it, the 'WAXI' is in direct competition.

I don't think that's true. They'd probably be quite happy for a TC tram link, as long as they don't have to pay for it. No one has forced them to future proof that new bridge they're building with a tram lane (it isn't even on one of GMPTEs proposed tram routes) but they have done. And they've funded the Mediacity spur to secure the BBC there.

This really sounds great that now water taxi service are available in most of the places all around the world as it would be easy for the people to reach at some places soon which they even can't reach by taxi as on road there is more traffic but in water you can't see such traffic.

It says launching dec 2010 I can barely wait, shame these won't launch in my life time.

Water taxis could get green light this month

Simon Binns on the WAXI man planning a share issue to float more boats

21/09/2010 14:19:26

Plans to put water taxis on the Manchester Ship Canal could take another step forward this month.

Manchester Water Taxis Ltd, the company behind the WAXIS idea, is waiting to hear if a Peel Group board meeting at the end of this month will sign off the £135,000 needed to bring the first boat onto the water.

Steven Cadwell, managing director at the firm, told Confidential he had recently applied for extra start-up funding and was also planning to hold talks with North West Business Angels to flesh out a proposal to allow people to buy shares in the business at £7,500 per stake, looking to raise £300,000.

“The plan was always to launch April/May 2011 in time for the BBC moving into MediaCityUK, and we're still on track,” he said. “Also, I've been working closely with Manchester advertising agency BJL, who have put some fantastic ideas together for launch advertising.”

Confidential first reported on the story in June 2009 and rather liked it, as did many of our readers.

John Mooney, manager of the Mark Addy, is also supportive of the WAXI plans. “It would be great for trade and good news for the area in general,” he said. “As far as I know, the council is behind it and it would be a boost for Spinningfields too.

“That stretch of water is crying out for a taxi service. It would be really popular and would become a bit of a tourist attraction too.”

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/Water-taxis-could-get-green-light-this-month_15361.asp

This would raise our profile no-end...really good idea and a great trip for the tourists to OT from the City Centre...christ though, there will be some dodgy looks chugging thru Pomona....come on someone get that site re-built...it really is strange how that area was untouched despite the huge investment in a metro-interchange (or stop as was).

Some greenery would be nice as well...the Irwell River Park!

From Manchester Confidential:

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/General/Water-taxis-could-get-green-light-this-month_15361.asp

Is there similar such schemes elsewhere to test its credibility? I am vaguely aware of something like this in London. Elsewhere and I start getting clouded by thoughts of the Govan ferry or Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Is there similar such schemes elsewhere to test its credibility? I am vaguely aware of something like this in London. Elsewhere and I start getting clouded by thoughts of the Govan ferry or Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Leeds recently restarted a 'Riverbus' tourist service back in May, after the previous weekday-only commuter one failed back in 2008, after only 3 weeks. Latest scheme seems more viable, with joint ticketing for the tourist/sightseeing bus and funding from Yorkshire Forward/Tourism Board.

I only found out about it reading 'The Penistone Line Express', which is a community rail newsletter for the Huddersfield - Sheffield via Barnsley route.

Personally, IMO if it gets public funding, it should be branded as a PTE service, with integrated ticketing, etc., or at least a discount for those with GMPTE Wayfarer (leisure) tickets!

River Bus in London seems to be going from strength to strength, one of the very few things Prescott got right back in 1997, before Labour caved in to 'Mondeo Man' and the fuel protestors.

A real success story of urban river services is Brisbane's CityCat, which runs early til late, at high frequencies (up to 6/7min in pm peak), with fully integrated PT ticketing, bicycle access, as well as WiFi connectivity.

It will be fantastic to see boats of the river, I definitely would use it. But, how would they get to the Trafford Centre as Mode wheel Locks are in the way. The locks take between 10 - 12 minutes to operate an that is a massive amount of time for a commuter. Would Peel or whoever build some sort of high speed boatlift?

It would be great for a service between Media City and Cathedral arches.

Would Peel or whoever build some sort of high speed boatlift?

Why not just a speedboat ramp? Zeeeaooow! Straight into the side of the Trafford Centre. Splat. Brilliant.

Go to work in a waxi: Plans for water taxis on River Irwell

Dean Kirby

December 09, 2010

Passengers could be riding Venetian-style water taxis down the River Irwell next summer.

Manchester Water Taxi Ltd plans to launch the yellow ‘waxis’, claiming they will help reduce pollution and congestion.

It is hoped the 40ft boats will travel between Manchester Victoria and the Trafford Centre, with stops at Spinningfields, Exchange Quay and MediaCityUK. Bosses at the firm are urging people to register their support in the region’s draft Local Transport Plan, which sets future transport priorities.

A spokesman said: “The water taxis will be a great way for people to get to and from work in the mornings.

“What could be better than beating the rush-hour congestion while relaxing on a boat? It will be a great way to see the city.”

The boats will seat up to 12 passengers and can carry wheelchairs, bikes and prams.

But passenger travel on the canal and river network is not currently included in the draft Local Transport Plan.

Manchester Water Taxi wants people to back the proposal via a consultation on the plan, which ends on Christmas Eve. The spokesman added: “The water taxis will be integrated into the transport system, with connections to the bus and tram network.

“Water taxis will put Manchester on the map and will give people a completely different perspective of the city.”

Dave Newton, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive’s transport strategy director, said: “While we are supportive of the diversity that the water taxis would offer, there is an effective sustainable public transport link between the city centre, Exchange Quay and MediaCityUK in the form of Metrolink.”

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/s/1388524_go_to_work_in_a_waxi_plans_for_water_taxis_on_river_irwell

Water taxi firm lobbies transport planners

9 Dec 2010, 09:10

Manchester Water Taxi, the company due to launch a public transport service on the River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal in 2011, is urging residents to register support for the inclusion of the region's waterways in the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan.

Consultation on the transport blueprint for the next 15 years runs until 24 December 2010. The draft plan was published by the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

Manchester Water Taxi said the service will be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative form of public transport and could reduce congestion within the city.

The service is due to launch in summer 2011 between Manchester Victoria and the Trafford Centre including stops at Spinningfields, Exchange Quay and Media City UK. The company's 12-metre boats seat up to 12 passengers and are accessible to wheelchairs, bikes and prams.

Dave Newton, GMPTE's transport strategy director, responded: "While we are supportive of the diversity that the water taxis would offer, GMITA and GMPTE have of course already ensured that there is an effective sustainable public transport link between the city centre, Exchange Quay and Media City in the form of Metrolink, which is well-linked to all parts of the city centre either directly or via interchange with the free Metroshuttle buses.

"There is a strong bus link from the city centre to the Trafford Centre, and as stated in the Local Transport Plan consultation brochure, we will seek to develop, subject to the availability of funds, a Metrolink extension through Trafford Park, connecting with the Trafford Centre, the new Salford stadium and Port Salford.

"However, we have been pleased to hear from the promoter of Manchester Water Taxis through the LTP consultation and will review how this concept could feed into the final LTP publication."

You can give your views at www.gmpte.com/LTP3

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/7852-water-taxi-firm-lobbies-transport-planners.html

PNW.

Water taxi firm lobbies transport planners9 Dec 2010, 09:10

http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/assets/_files/cached/img/402x293.31111111111/dec_10/pnw__1291885623_Waxi_Boat.jpg

Manchester Water Taxi, the company due to launch a public transport service on the River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal in 2011, is urging residents to register support for the inclusion of the region's waterways in the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan.
Consultation on the transport blueprint for the next 15 years runs until 24 December 2010. The draft plan was published by the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.
Manchester Water Taxi said the service will be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative form of public transport and could reduce congestion within the city.
The service is due to launch in summer 2011 between Manchester Victoria and the Trafford Centre including stops at Spinningfields, Exchange Quay and Media City UK. The company's 12-metre boats seat up to 12 passengers and are accessible to wheelchairs, bikes and prams.
Dave Newton, GMPTE's transport strategy director, responded: "While we are supportive of the diversity that the water taxis would offer, GMITA and GMPTE have of course already ensured that there is an effective sustainable public transport link between the city centre, Exchange Quay and Media City in the form of Metrolink, which is well-linked to all parts of the city centre either directly or via interchange with the free Metroshuttle buses.
"There is a strong bus link from the city centre to the Trafford Centre, and as stated in the Local Transport Plan consultation brochure, we will seek to develop, subject to the availability of funds, a Metrolink extension through Trafford Park, connecting with the Trafford Centre, the new Salford stadium and Port Salford.
"However, we have been pleased to hear from the promoter of Manchester Water Taxis through the LTP consultation and will review how this concept could feed into the final LTP publication."
■You can give your views at www.gmpte.com/LTP3

12 passengers per boat - lots of capacity there then....

And according to the latest business plan only one boat. Essentially while a nice reasonbly frequent service the forecast passenger numbers wont be terribly large, not enough to support more boats or increased frequency without additional stops.

12 passengers / 1 boat = 3 Black Cabs (actually 2.4 Black Cabs) - nice, but not really worth the hassle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiW92O8j68A

I'm looking into how viable this scheme is, it really interests me and would be a brilliant resource for commuters and tourists.

The distance along the Irwell/Ship Canal from Victoria to Media City is about 3.2mi. On the Waxi website, it is stated that the boats to be used can travel up to 14knots (16mph). So doing a quick calculation (cautiously) saying that the average speed including stops will be 10mph, the journey to MCUK comes out at 19 mins. Then if you look at a journey planner, the Metrolink takes around 30 mins to get to/from Victoria. By car, in off-peak traffic the journey would take around 11 mins.

From Spinningfields, MCUK is only 2.5 miles away. Using the same 10mph average speed calculation, the journey would take 15 mins. Walking to Deansgate;Castlefield and taking the Metrolink would take around 30 mins. By car this journey would take around 8 mins.

So the WAXI service does compare well with the Met, but not with journeys by car. It would be great on a nice day, but as we know in GM, nice weather isn't something we're blessed with often. Would user numbers fall dramatically if there were wind or rain?

I would love to see this run, but realistically how viable does anyone think this could be?
As stated before, 12 passengers at £3 per head= £36 revenue per boat, unless sponsored/subsidised. 12 passengers could be a whole party going to a game at United, or a group of friends on a weekend away. If there is initially only one boat, the service would be infrequent so might fill up quickly especially during summer weekends.

I think that a higher-capacity (say 35 seater) boat, with higher speeds and more (request) stops (Blackfriars Bridge, Hampson St, St George's Island/Ordsall, Pomona, Sir Matt Busby Way) would offer more connections, put more bums on seats and would make for better business.

Currently a couple of services already operate on the canal:
City Centre Cruises offer narrowboat cruises
http://www.citycentrecruises.co.uk
MUFC Home Games £12 Return. http://www.citycentrecruises.co.uk/9901/index.html

River Cruises Manchester use an 84-seat craft
http://www.rivercruisesmanchester.com/page/about_us

Mersey Ferries do the Salford Quays-Liverpool run
http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/content/Cruises/ManchesterShipCanalCruises.aspx

2012 launch?
ManchesterWAXIS (http://twitter.com/manchesterwaxis) WAXI
Merry Christmas from @ManchesterWAXIS today next year will be the only day #WAXIS won't be running. Keep following 2012 for launch news
25 Dec (http://twitter.com/#!/ManchesterWAXIS/status/150942341102968832)

Also an item on Salford's Jan forward plan (http://www.salford.gov.uk/d/forwardplanjanuary2012.doc) relating to Water Taxi infrastructure.

EXCLUSIVE: City Water Taxi Service In 8 Months

June 2013 for commuter and tourist services from city centre to MediaCityUK

EXCELLENT NEWS for Manchester and Salford.

Confidential understands we will have an operating water taxi service between the city centre and MediaCityUK by June 2013.

This adds an extra dimension to making a tourist experience in Manchester easier, it slings a lasso around Manchester United, the IWMN and The Lowry and pulls them closer to the city centre.

Salford City Council and MediaCityUK are looking for an operator for the service on the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell between MediaCityUK and Chapel Wharf.

£500k funding has been secured from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. This is part of the Irwell River Park programme. There will be five landing points - pontoons - installed by May 2013. The infrastructure required to reach these will be completed by the same date.

The result is that a new water taxi service should be operational from June 2013.

The landing pontoons will be built at Chapel Wharf (in front of the Lowry Hotel) and then Ordsall, Clippers Quay, the Imperial War Museum North and MediaCityUK.

Confidential Comment

This is good news for the city region and plugs an obvious gap in transport infrastructure. It plugs this without the vast expense usually associated with, for instance, rail transport.

The Local Sustainable Transport Fund money delivers a win-win service down the river, one that ticks all sorts of sustainability, tourism and employment boxes.

Commuters waiting for a taxiFares on the new water taxis must be reasonable. Perhaps they should be matched to that of the city centre link delivered by Metrolink. The water taxis have to be given a chance to prove themselves as a viable, regular, service - a desire for a quick cash return might harm this.

The commitment from Salford City Council is particularly welcome, as is that of Peel Group. In terms of local authorities this is really Salford's scheme and continues their excellent work in the city centre. The city was clearly inspired by these ideas from our previous exclusive on this back in June 2009 - click here. But it still took political will to fight for the funding and then undertake to deliver the project in such a short time frame.

Peel Group is the child of Manchester Ship Canal and this clearly makes commercial sense for them and adds value to their estate,

Pomona is on the right bankThe news of the water taxi service opens up all sorts of investment opportunities down the river particularly in the cleared 'island' between the Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal at Pomona.

Not so long ago there was an idea for a theme park sited here. Time to revitalise those ideas perhaps. The city region could easily support many more popular culture attractions - people want them, as the success of the National Football Museum proves, click here.

Finally, as a tour guide, I'm frequently asked about river services to IWMN, the Lowry and MediaCityUK.

The present boats operating on the route are for private hire, they are not scheduled services. Scheduled services, if marketed correctly and announced properly to locals and tourists, will completely change this situation, making the use of the river an attractive option for travellers. Meanwhile the idea of normalising a river commute in Manchester is enticing.

IWMN from the waterThe water taxis effectively sling a lasso around Manchester United, the IWMN and The Lowry and pulls them closer to the city centre.

They also deliver back to waters of the River Irwell and the Manchester Ship Canal an essential role in city life. The once-upon-a-time 'hardest worked river in the world' is rolling up its sleeves again.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/City-Water-Taxi-Service-Within-Eight-Months

Good. Lets just hope it delivers... this time

http://i46.tinypic.com/jkggee.jpg

My first thoughts on hearing this news was that they missed a trick by not connecting to St George's Island for Castlefield. Secondly, why on earth would you have a stop at both Media City and IWMN? They are literally only a few minutes apart with a bridge link.

TBH this should and will open up a new part of the city.(to tourists)

It's fair to say most tourists stay in and around the city centre(guessing) with the exception of United fans(from abroad) going to Old Trafford.

It will be a pleasent way to get to Salford Quays, the Lowry, the IWMN, Mediacity, Granada Studios, and Old Trafford.(via a 10 minute walk)

Whichever way you look at it, it's a positive proposal.

Some of the route from the air.

Starting point? (Lowry Hotel)

http://www4.clikpic.com/Skycam/images/DL0063661.jpg

Peel have been sat on Pomona for years and have done nothing with it. This parcel of land
and waterway is the missing link between Manchester city centre and Salford Quays. Shame on you Peel.

http://www4.clikpic.com/Skycam/images/DL0068061.jpg

http://www4.clikpic.com/Skycam/images/DL0068072.jpg

http://www4.clikpic.com/Skycam/images/DL0068079.jpg

Finish. Salford Quays, Lowry, IWMN, Mediacity, Granada Studios, Old Trafford.

http://www4.clikpic.com/Skycam/images/DL0065936.jpg

http://www4.clikpic.com/Skycam/images/DL0068952.jpg

http://www4.clikpic.com/Skycam/images/DL0068956.jpg

http://www.aerialsurveyors.co.uk/gallery.html

This ferry scheme should have been implemented years ago. Inexplicable that the council seeks billions for the Metrolink, yet a river/canal ferry transport scheme at a fraction of the cost through the city centre cannot be developed.

A symbol of have backward and wasteful civil servants and this country (in general) is. I would also suggest that the water taxi could be implemented east of the city from Piccadilly to Holt Town and the Etihad and Velodrome.

I would also suggest that the water taxi could be implemented east of the city from Piccadilly to Holt Town and the Etihad and Velodrome.

Really!!! Max speed on a canal is 5 mph, coupled to the fact there are 5 locks, it would be quicker to walk!!

Im a bit confused really, you have the private scheme thats been in development for 3 years or so and was meant to launch around Christmas this year, now you have this announcement of a publically funded service using the same stops and as far as I can see is actually linked to the private proposal except they are looking for operators?

My thinking is the WAXI company after lobbying got Salford Council/Peel to fund the service but they said the service would have to tendered competitivley to operate if it was publically financed.

why on earth would you have a stop at both Media City and IWMN? They are literally only a few minutes apart with a bridge link.Because it would be stupid to dump people on the wrong side of the water from where they want to go, bridge or no bridge. It puts an extra 'attraction' on the route map for those who may not be as familiar with the area as you.

It is possible they could operate that section as a circular route, ie Clippers Quay - IWMN - MediaCity - Clippers Quay. They have to turn round anyway.

(VDB could draw you a map ;))

Man Con. Click on the link to see renders of the proposed landings.

Water Taxi: Landing Stage Visualisations

Work in progress images whet appetite for water taxis

CONFIDENTIAL has been excited by the idea of a water taxi service in Manchester and Salford since the idea was mooted several years back. Late last year we broke the news that a service should be up and running by summer 2013 - click here.


Confidential understands there is now a shortlist of operators, and that they are obliged to bid for a service that will be 'commuter' not just 'leisure'.

Here are some 'work in progress' mock-ups of the five pontoon landing stages being proposed. The final layouts may be different and the boat pictured here almost certainly will. But the images help to make the idea real.

The breakdown of the landing stages seems sensible, although there is a big gap between pontoons from The Lowry Hotel to Ordsall. Of course others can be added should the service be successful.

Confidential understands there is now a shortlist of operators, and that they are obliged to bid for a service that will be 'commuter' not just 'leisure' - allthough the service will no doubt prove popular for United fans.

If infrastructure's your thing, it's all tremendously exciting.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Water-Taxi-Landing-Stage-Visualisations

Awesome. Have to say the big issue I had with this proposal ever since it was announced years ago was that I thought it would only ever be a leisure service; so I'm happy to discover it'll be a commuter one - no doubt means it'll be cheap and available to all.

Hopefully it'll be quick. I've noticed there's quite a lot of, (erm ... stations? stops? what're we calling these?) along the route, so seeing as there's not that many other boats on the canal and, unlike rail travel, we're not restricted to 2 tracks - would it be beneficial/economical to introduce an "express" service to go alongside a local stopping service; which would maybe run the route from MediaCityUK to the Lowry without stopping?

Anyone who's checked out the renders will also notice that the signs next to each stop look like bus stops except blue... with the bus flag and everything. Maybe it'll be a TfGM logo on a blue background? :banana:

I`d go for Landing Stages.

Awesome. Have to say the big issue I had with this proposal ever since it was announced years ago was that I thought it would only ever be a leisure service; so I'm happy to discover it'll be a commuter one - no doubt means it'll be cheap and available to all.

The problem would be that it'll be a private monopoly service so prices might not be that cheap. Hopefully the Smartcard System/Oystercard for Manchester will connect in the same way that the riverboats on the River Thames do.

I'd go for Landing Stages.

Pontoon landing stages would be necessary to accommodate the fluctuating levels of the River Irwell and reduce the need for dredging- less of an issue around the docks of course.

It would be great if there was a landing stage at Greengate/Cathedral as proposed in the original Stephenson Bell design for the Medieval Quarter (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1455623) though I understand the river needs serious dredging upstream beyond Bridge Street.

Back in the day you could buy a ticket for the New World from the Thomas Cook Booth outside Exchange Station (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Cook_Building_Manchester_Cathedral.jpg). Short hop to the New Bailey boat terminal that is now the Mark Addy Pub, down the Ship Canal to Liverpool then to a new life across the oceans!

Why didn't they just get a train?

...though I understand the river needs serious dredging upstream beyond Bridge Street.


Is that anything to do the actions of BS Construction at the Canopus Towers site? (they demolished the retaining wall just downstream of New Bridge Street)

This ferry scheme should have been implemented years ago. Inexplicable that the council seeks billions for the Metrolink, yet a river/canal ferry transport scheme at a fraction of the cost through the city centre cannot be developed.

A symbol of have backward and wasteful civil servants and this country (in general) is. I would also suggest that the water taxi could be implemented east of the city from Piccadilly to Holt Town and the Etihad and Velodrome.

Catch up boy. I like your stuff about bureaucrats and The MoD, but....

The narrative has been

private bods suggest idea

Look at figures and erm.

lobby public funds and secure £0.5m to sustain it.

The reality as it is in many examples is that public funds support the private sector. private profit through tax sustain public works.

Business execs and civil servants work well to achieve what either alone would struggle to do so.

If you want the free market, you are free to live in Singapore.

Back in the day you could buy a ticket for the New World from the Thomas Cook Booth outside Exchange Station (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Cook_Building_Manchester_Cathedral.jpg). Short hop to the New Bailey boat terminal that is now the Mark Addy Pub, down the Ship Canal to Liverpool then to a new life across the oceans!


I am curious, didn't know this. Given a former Heaton once emigrated briefly to Manchester as a copper, residing where the beer garden is at the Fringe Bar off Peter Street and the left for Salem, Mass. And made it back to good old Ireland some 100 years ago.

I imagine he took that route then?!!!

Anyway Waxis. I ain't convinced, but best of luck.

This ferry scheme should have been implemented years ago. Inexplicable that the council seeks billions for the Metrolink, yet a river/canal ferry transport scheme at a fraction of the cost through the city centre cannot be developed.

A symbol of have backward and wasteful civil servants and this country (in general) is. I would also suggest that the water taxi could be implemented east of the city from Piccadilly to Holt Town and the Etihad and Velodrome.

There are several locks between Piccadilly and the Etihad, and the Ashton is a narrow canal. Passenger numbers would be limited and it would be quicker to walk. Also the fans might start throwing themselves in the cut when they fail to win the Premiership.

The water taxis are a nice idea and it would be good to see the Irwell being used but it will be slower than Metrolink and I fear more of a novelty/visitor attraction than a competetive means of transport.

How many boats will run the route? That'll give us an idea of frequency.

I think Metrolink and Waxis can complement each other rather than being a substitute; especially if Oyster cards are accepted on the boats. I for one would be happy taking the tram from Eccles to Manchester but then changing for a boat at MediaCity!

We looked into figures for this before and as good as it sounds it can't possibly be financially viable without ongoing subsidy.

Touting is as a commuter service is a way of getting subsidy but in reality the total capacity x number of peak time trips will probably match that of a bus or two of people. It's not enough.

Also, if a bus is full and you miss one, you get the next. If a waxi is full you might have a 20 min wait for the next boat and you're not close to any other transport alternatives. People travelling to work won't risk it if it's running near capacity at these times. If it's not running at capacity it isn't making much money anyway.

All this disregards any travel time disadvantages in relation to the tram too. They originally mooted a boarding point near victoria which seemed to have been dropped. That was the only point in the city centre near a transport hub. So not only is it slower than the tram but you'll have to go more out of your way to get to it.

As a tourist thing it'll be handy and the more boats we have in the quays the better. But once the novelty wears off with the locals is it really going to attract enough custom? Even if they sell out every boat all day the capacity looks so small how much money is it really going to make? And how likely is that?

If you look at the open top sightseeing bus website you see it runs only once per week. The website shows online ticket sales. A tour started today at 11:30. They hadn't pre-sold a single ticket.

I hope they do it. I'd love to have a go and to see more boats on the water but if it does start it won't last.

Boating options on the quays and canals could be marketed better. I'd like to see manchester tourism knock up a website which provides a gateway to all boat services on the quays, rivers and canals. From the watersports place, to waxis, to the day trips to liverpool, to party boats, to mooring of canal barges in city centre canals. It needs pulling together to be made more accessible. If i want to go on the water, take a boat to old trafford or learn to sail at salford quays what are my options?

Well we can agree then.

Let it have it's voyage.

Without the beneficial wave of the public purse, it would sink.

Its slowness won't make much of a splash for commuters.

It will be more for match goers, BBC people and tourists if they wish to surf up yer canal.

However judging the current tsunami of discord amongst rugby supporters with the swamp like transport situation at Salford City stadium, if a Ferry sized waxi could be employed to move fans quicker than the lock down car park (30 minutes) or non existent 67 (wait last night was 40 minutes) then it will be cruising to a small waterfall of profit.

Is it still a maximum of 12 people per boat?

I've seen Waxis/Water Services in other cities which are pretty big - surely the MSC can handle bigger boats like this one; (I've also edited in what the Pomona skyline will look like in five years in the background ;))

http://wirednewyork.com/waterfront/ferries/water_taxi_fulton_ferry_landing_5oct02.jpg

Pomona looks great!

The problem is not the MSC but further up, its going to be difficult to turn even a boat of the size of the NY watertaxi outside the Lowry Hotel, its pretty narrow, but then again the drawings seem to show a boat that is tiny. How many are going to fit in there 10?

Pomona looks great!

The problem is not the MSC but further up, its going to be difficult to turn even a boat of the size of the NY watertaxi outside the Lowry Hotel, its pretty narrow, but then again the drawings seem to show a boat that is tiny. How many are going to fit in there 10?

Lets learn a lesson from trams and trains then; make the boats have two fronts. Easy for turning.

Plus it'll look like Noah's Ark - which is a tourist attraction in itself

I didn't think of that but its a good idea! Theres a Ferry I rode on Philadelphia that had two driving cabs, maybe they should enquire

As you say the boats on the renders look negligible. Mind you they were shaded out so that suggests that nothing's been picked yet.

Seeing as the infastructure is meant to be prepared for May, I doubt the boats will be new; don't you? Think they'll be second hand from somewhere else.

The shaded image looks like one those small fishing boats you might see sailing out of some little harbour in Cornwall lol. They should fit perfectly into Manchester :/

Can't take this serious at all.

When I think of this, I get this mixed imagine of Pugwash in a Salfordian version of Deliverance with Little and Large and other celebrity City supporters getting stranded in Ordsall.

Ther boats should be pre-built off the shelf designs, they wont have to be commisioned.

Pomona looks great!

The problem is not the MSC but further up, its going to be difficult to turn even a boat of the size of the NY watertaxi outside the Lowry Hotel, its pretty narrow, but then again the drawings seem to show a boat that is tiny. How many are going to fit in there 10?

Bow thruster fitted boats can rotate in their own length, so turning a reasonably capacious vessel (admittedly not a NY water taxi sized bit of kit) shouldn't be too difficult.

Ignore the marketing spiel...

http://youtu.be/BluTQdNMYiA?t=30s

Best,
Slip