A ‘new and improved’ bus service could link Salford Quays and Manchester city centre next year.
The X50, which runs between Manchester and the Trafford Centre, would be diverted to include stops along Ordsall Lane and a loop to Salford Quays under plans by Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to improve public transport.
Salford council said the lack of bus routes on the road has been a “long standing issue” for the area, which has a growing population and plans in the pipeline for hundreds more homes in schemes such as the Salford Soapworks redevelopment.
The council has agreed to pump £2m to help get the extended service up and running, with the money gathered from agreements with developers working around Salford.
The funding will also be used to offer promotions and incentives to attract people to the service, as well as upgrades to local roads.
A town hall report on the proposal stated that the bus route is a ‘financially sustainable option that provides additional connectivity to the wider network and key employment and leisure destinations such as the Trafford Centre and Trafford Park.’
Bosses at the council hope the service could be up and running by mid 2025, with the route set to be reviewed after two years.
During a meeting at Salford Civic Centre on November 11, a Salford council officer confirmed some of the £2m of funding could be used to improve the double yellow lines along Ordsall Lane as well as other infrastructure projects.
Salford deputy mayor Jack Youd said the new service would benefit residents in the area.
He added: “This is a positive way to improve people’s lives and help them get to Manchester for work or leisure.”
Salford Quays resident John-Paul Atley welcomed the plans but said there are parking issues along Ordsall Lane which need to be looked at.
“For all intents and purposes it’s a one lane road to begin with because of parking,” Mr Atley added. “It’s almost impossible to stay on one side, good chunks of the road don’t have double yellow lines.”
Salford Quays councillor Jake Rowland said the service will be “brilliant” for the area and shows a commitment to “making sure residents can get around Greater Manchester.”
TfGM and Salford City Council were contacted for comment.
