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Thursday 16 Mar 2006

SALFORD REGENERATION BOOSTED BY NETWORK RAIL

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Local people and passengers are set to benefit from a multi-million redevelopment of the area around Salford Central station. Work will begin on three Grade II listed bridges, which are situated on New Bailey Street, on Monday, 3 April 2006 and will continue for 12 weeks. During the work the road underneath each bridge will be closed between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00. A diversionary route will be in place whilst the work is on-going. Jo Kaye, Network Rail’s Area General Manager, Manchester said: “This initial scheme will entirely transform the immediate area surrounding Salford Central before the station itself undergoes a major upgrade later this year.” The £2 million project is the result of many years of discussions between Network Rail and other agencies to agree how the area around Salford Central station can be best improved. The work is being funded by Network Rail with help from the Railway Heritage Trust and will see the full refurbishment of each bridge. During the work the decorative cast iron panels will be removed, fully restored and reinstated by a specialist contractor. The corroded elements of the bridge will be replaced and the bridges will be waterproofed, cleaned and painted. It will not be possible to carry out the majority of the works during normal weekday working due to the running of trains and traffic restrictions enforced by the local highway authority. As a result there will be temporary closures of the railway each weekend between the hours of 00.01 Sunday to 05.00 Monday starting 16/17 April 2006 and ending 25/26 June 2006 (inclusive). The work is part of the regeneration of Chapel Street in Salford, which has been taking place over the past 8 years. Nearby projects include the 5* Lowry Hotel, Chapel Wharf and The Edge as well as the modern refurbishment of eight arches on Chapel Street by Network Rail. Later this year a major redevelopment scheme will transform the station, giving a fully glazed forecourt, a refurbished ticket office, subway improvements, better access, real-time passenger information and improved security. The £4.5 million improvement scheme is being funded by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and the European Regional Development Fund and is being taken forward by GMPTE in partnership with Salford City Council, the Chapel Street Regeneration Partnership and the Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company.