Five-acre elevated walkway to act as a green gateway between the University of Salford’s campus and Crescent innovation zone
Construction of Salford Rise – a transformative element of the wider £2.5bn, 252-acre Crescent Salford masterplan – has begun.
Delivered by ECF – a joint partnership between Legal & General, Homes England and Muse on behalf of Salford City Council – the infrastructure and public realm project will remove physical barriers between the communities to the north of the Crescent area, replacing them with walking and cycling routes focused on accessibility and active travel, significantly improving connectivity between these communities and Crescent Salford.
In addition, there will be large areas of new, high-quality green spaces, trees, planting and public squares for pop-up events and festivals.
At the heart of the ambitious regeneration of Salford Crescent, is a near five-acre elevated walkway spanning Frederick Road which will enhance connectivity and act as a key gateway between the University of Salford’s campus and the Crescent innovation zone.
Eric Wright Civil Engineering has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the walkway designed by MAKE, Planit and Cundall. It stands at 11 metres wide and 220 metres long and will be a green and safe haven for pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging active travel and facilitating improved collaboration across the development.
The project is partially funded by £13.17m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Preparatory and ground works will be carried out for the remainder of 2024, while work on the bridge structure is expected to begin in early 2025 and complete in summer 2026.
Salford Rise forms a key part of the Crescent masterplan which will deliver more than 3,000 homes, 1m sq ft of offices, retail and leisure, a multi-model transport hub and vast areas of green space.
Commencement of work on the project follows the approval of plans by Salford City Council to bring forward Crescent Innovation, another pivotal element of the Crescent Salford masterplan.
Creating a high-quality innovation ecosystem around the University of Salford, Crescent Innovation will build on existing world-class research and development capabilities; help drive further economic growth in the city and wider region; and facilitate enhanced links between academia, research, and business.
Salford Rise will physically connect economic assets across the innovation zone to unlock significant development opportunities and enable collaboration between academia and industry.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “I am delighted that this important project is now moving into the delivery phase. Salford Rise will better connect our communities to the Crescent and University campus and provide transformational change across Crescent Innovation, helping to unlock world-class innovation-led research and development opportunities that Salford residents and businesses can benefit from.”
Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, Professor Nic Beech, commented: “Salford Rise is a great example of innovative regeneration work as part of the wider Crescent masterplan to benefit our Salford community, connecting people and fostering collaboration between businesses. This work will develop and enhance our local environment and provide vital sustainable travel options for students, colleagues, and visitors accessing our University campus and the surrounding areas.”
Max King, Project Director (North West) at ECF, said: “Starting on site at Salford Rise and seeing the first spade in the ground marks a landmark staging post as we begin to bring the vision for Crescent Salford to life. This project is a pivotal part of the wider masterplan, and particularly the innovation zone, unlocking opportunities and fostering collaboration to enable the people that live, work and study in Salford to thrive.”
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