MEDIACITYUK TO MANCHESTER VIA SALFORD CRESCENT AS PLANS FOR A NEW METROLINK ROUTE ARE IN DEVELOPMENT

A new branch of the Metrolink between MediaCityUK and Manchester City Centre, via Salford Crescent, could become a reality within the next 20 years under plans which make up part of the the City Centre Transport Strategy for 2014, which has now been backed by Salford City Council.

A recent report has concluded that the Metrolink has brought major benefits to some local communities in the form of clean air and reduction of congestion on roads.

Salford Council aims to place the crescent at the heart of the major transport gateway into and out of the city centre, along with pedestrianizing parts of the A6 to create a boulevard. 

The joint strategy between Salford and Manchester is hoped to see up to 90% of peak time commutes to be made on foot, cycle, bus and trains as infrastructure improvements are made to help reduce the carbon footprint of the sister city centres and create better transport links.

However some have suggested that this is just another example of Manchester's continuing encroachment into Salford and a blurring of the line as to where each city starts and ends.

Others have suggested that it would be unwise to be putting the cities 'eggs' into the public transport basket and ask if it is truly a viable way forward as the local reduction in footfall on public transport over the past year due to Covid has demonstrated huge flaws in the thinking.

The Metrolink itself has struggled with dwindling numbers due to lockdown and as we face an uncertain future with mutations of the coronavirus a continued threat, it is only wise to consider the possibility of a repeat of 2020 at some point ahead.

Additionally it has been noted that as more people opt to work from home and with some companies seemingly championing the benefits it brings, some members of the public are questioning if the strategy has been thought out properly.

A recent consultation resulted in 2,425 responses from the public but it was noted that just 5% of those who responded actually lived within Salford.

Regardless, Salford Crescent is set to play a huge role in the development around the University campus and is being seen as a focal point for growthin the city, and so it is hoped the addition of a Metrolink route will bring benefits to the area which already boasts rail and bus connectivity.

The new route is being suggested as an important part of the joint strategy in the coming years and Labours Tracy Kelly, Salford's statutory deputy city mayor, has welcomed the new transport strategy.

Speaking at the meeting on Monday, she told the audience:

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"For me, the pandemic has highlighted even more so the need for this strategy moving forward and we realise people now are using walking, cycling and public transport which has had to be used by many of our staff and key workers.

"So I think it's an important part of the strategy that we get this right."

 

Photos: English Cities Fund and SM