FIRST LOOK: City Centre’s Newest Rail Bridge Lifted In Place

Urbanitymcr’s  was on site today to provide the first snapshot of the arch being lifted onto the new Ordsall Chord Railway Bridge.  The structure was lifted into place today by one of the country’s largest cranes as onlookers gathered at Trinity Way to observe the process.

The project will connect Piccadilly and Victoria Stations and forms a key part of Network Rail’s multimillion pound investment in the North of England’s Railway infrastructure.

Programme manager Allan Parker from Network Rail said: “This latest piece of work signifies we are getting ever closer to the Ordsall Chord being completed. Once finished, passengers from across the North will have more direct services to Manchester Airport and a reduction in congestion due to some services from the east being rerouted through to Victoria station first. This will mean an increase in services as more trains will be able to run to Piccadilly.”

“As you can imagine, the sheer size of the arches and the accuracy needed to position them meant there was a lot of planning that took place previously. I have been working on this project from the very beginning and I am extremely proud of every milestone we have achieved.  However, the sight of the arches elevated over the River Irwell was very special and will live long in my memory.”

Final 2040 Transport Strategy Launched

 

During summer 2016, TfGM  held a 12-week long public consultation on a draft 2040 Transport Strategy, which set out long-term proposals to create a cleaner, greener, more prosperous city region. The study looked at options for better transport connections and simpler travel. The draft strategy focused on creating an integrated, sustainable, and well co-ordinated transport system which supports a wide range of different travel needs.

In total, nearly 1,800 responses were submitted by members of the public, elected representatives, businesses and organisations. Over 70 per cent of respondents agreed that the strategy helped to achieve long-term, sustainable economic growth for all, showing strong public support for future plans.

The final strategy was released this morning, with key amendments including recognition of the crucial role that transport can play in providing access to healthcare and reducing social isolation. The final strategy also takes into account the importance of the night-time economy and providing connections for people travelling home from work late into the evening.

Following public support, the strategy gives greater emphasis to improving cycling infrastructure and places an emphasis on the role of local streets as ‘places’ rather than just routes for traffic, with a commitment to enhance the natural environment where possible. The strategy also outlines the important role of transport in supporting major growth in housing and employment.

For more, see: http://www.tfgm.com/2040/Pages/strategy/index.html 

 

 

Work Begins on New Canalside Houses Close to the City Centre

Work is anticipated to begin this week on a new residential development on the Rochdale Canal, close to the City Centre. Following Planning Approval in October 2016, Urbanitymcr can report that enabling and site security  works at next phase of the Bramah Place and Platting Village Masterplan are already underway, with construction anticipated to begin in the coming weeks.

 

Images showing hoardings being erected along the Rochdale Canal, with the historic locks in the foreground and Victoria Mill in the background. 

Built as part of Manchester City Council’s £235 million Private Finance Initiative scheme in partnership with Lovell Homes,  the scheme forms one element of the 1500-home masterplan for the Miles Platting and Bradford Road areas. A large compulsory purchase order led to the clearance of hundreds of former social-sector housing within the city centre and the construction of the canalside park. This route now forms a popular pedestrian route which is also favoured by dog walkers. The canal also allows a  traffic-free cycle route directly into Ancoats and the Northern Quarter in one direction and the Etihad Campus and Phillips Park in the other.

As part of the 1.95 hectare scheme, 73 two and three storey houses will be constructed, with realigned roads and upgraded landscaping. Almost half of the new units will be four bedroom properties, with the remaining half featuring 2 and 3 bedroom properties. The setting of these any of these homes will overlook the historic locks on the Rochdale Canal, in the setting of the historic Victoria Mill and revamped Victoria Mill Park.

The previous elements of the Lovell Homes scheme has already led to the sale of hundreds of new homes. Many of these have been subsequently been released for private rent by property developers. The pace of change and demand in this area has seen newly built rental properties let at over £1100 per month.

This latest development is expected to deliver quality family dwellings for the private home-occupier market at the heart of the inner-city. This is anticipated to provide diversity to the housing market of the Ancoats, New Islington, Bradford Road and Miles Platting areas.

Sitting within walking distance of local amenities such as the New Islington Free School Etihad Stadium as well as popular local restaurants and bars such as Rudy’s Pizza, Second City, Vermillion Ancoats Coffee Co. and Vnam, these homes are anticipated to fetch between £170,000 and £250,000. See below for an overview of the site as well as individual house types.