This is how Chapel Street will look when ‘nightmare’ roadworks are complete in a year.
In the first week of the Chapel Street roadworks, widespread congestion has been reported in the area, with those stuck claiming it’s taking ‘two hours’ to navigate the A6 at rush hour.
But it’s not just motorists impacted by the closure — buses and emergency service vehicles have been ‘stuck’ in the chaos, and some cyclists face either riding the wrong way down the now-one-way Chapel Street, or using the snarled-up Trinity Way ring road.
Now Salford council, which in behind the scheme, has explained why it’s digging up the road to install the new bike lanes, extra pedestrian facilities, and space for buses planned.
Coun Mike McCusker, its lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development, has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service work is needed because of Chapel Street’s ‘prominent position’ that’s ‘undergoing transformational change’.
He said in a statement: “Chapel Street East is located in a prominent position within Salford city centre and acts as a gateway to Manchester city centre.
“The area is undergoing a period of transformational change and regeneration that has already established it as an attractive and dynamic place to live and work.
“The vision for the area encompasses the need to create an accessible and integrated neighbourhood that joins together New Bailey with Greengate and connects the surrounding neighbourhoods, such as Trinity and Irwell Riverside, to the core of the city centre.”
Coun McCusker also said the Chapel Street project will ‘rebalance the space in favour of pedestrians and cyclists’, and is part of a much bigger ‘long term plan’.
He went on: “The works are part of a long-term plan to build high quality, safer pedestrian and cycling provision across the city centre.
“Public realm improvements will see the installation of rain gardens, planting beds and new trees introduced. There will also be upgraded surfaces and new street furniture to create a more inviting and dynamic space for all to enjoy.
“The scheme will use a ‘complete streets’ approach to rebalance the space in favour of pedestrians and cyclists while also catering for buses, general traffic and loading with continuous cycle tracks and footways, new greenery and sustainable urban drainage systems.”
Coun McCusker has previously apologised for the disruption, adding the westbound closure of Chapel Street ‘remains the safest, most efficient option to complete the works, balancing the needs of residents, businesses, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport in a constrained city centre environment’.
