Once used as ‘Manchester’s car park’, the Greengate neighbourhood in Salford has changed beyond recognition in recent years.
New tower blocks and offices have sprung up as part of a huge regeneration project, turning the area into a popular spot for city-centre living.
But plans for the future of Greengate are being drawn up to create more green and open spaces in the city, as well as building new homes.
It includes bringing more restaurants and businesses to the community, with plans by PL North Bridge to transform the railway arches into a space for shops, market stalls, and places for food and drink.
Coun Mike McCusker, Salford council’s cabinet member for planning, transport and sustainable development, said the plans will bring “a real buzz” to the area.
“Someone described it recently as more like London than Salford, but you could say it might look better than some parts of Manchester city centre, because we’re starting from a blank slate with a load of car parks,” he added.
“It’s all about building a place that people want to live in, all the stuff around parks and creating a boulevard to link different bits together, so much around this being a high-quality area with great access through to Manchester city centre.”
Salford council is planning to spend more than £2m in the northern edge of Greengate on public realm and open space improvements, using contributions from developers working around the city.
Works are also taking place on Chapel Street 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.’
Works on Chapel Street are set to last for a year but have sparked criticism from motorists over congestion while the changes take place.
