Rigmaden Bridge was shut down in December 2021 after being deemed unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians. The grade two-listed bridge crosses the River Lune, linking Rigmaden and Bainsbank. It is nearly 37-metres long. Built in 1890, the bridge is largely wrought iron with underslung trusses.

WSP is leading the restoration effort with the council and submitted a listed building application to restore the bridge’s structural integrity. Yorkshire Dales National Park has since approved that application.

WSP’s plans include installing two steel weathering plate girders under the carriageway on the bridge, situating them between the trusses. The bridge’s current concrete deck will be replaced with reinforced concrete slabs, which the girders would support.

Cllr Peter Thornton, the Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member for highways and assets, described Rigmaden Bridge as “a key part of our highways network that connects communities surrounding Kirkby Lonsdale”.

Reflecting on the successful listed building application, Thornton continued: “Working collaboratively with Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has been integral in achieving this, and we will continue to do so as our team develops a feasible construction plan and funding options to deliver a more resilient bridge.”

You can find more information on the bridge by searching S/10/8A/LB on Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s planning portal.

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THIS WEEK

• Stuck on amber: Rail and road projects, including the long-awaited A66 dualling between Penrith and Scotch Corner, are at risk of failure
• Elevator pitch: your weekly rundown of who and what is going up, and who is heading the other way

STUCK ON AMBER

Big transport projects are waiting at the lights

The infrastructure investments that could open up the North’s economy and property markets are going nowhere fast.

Monday marked a big moment for Northern transport. Seven years after government said it truly meant to dual the A66 between the M6 at Penrith, and the A1M at Scotch Corner, an inspector submitted the relevant paperwork to the secretary of state. He has until 7 November to make up his mind. The road hasn’t been touched since the 1970s, and is one of the busiest freight routes in the land. In short, it matters.

Green is good

Will it be the green light in November? Green didn’t feature heavily in the recent analysis of the £1.4bn project’s prospects filed by the Infrastructure & Projects Authority. The IPA has been tracking progress since 2020/2021, at which point civil servants reckoned the road expansion was on track. By 2021/2022 things were sliding and today it is rated as “amber.” This means “successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues already exist, requiring management attention. These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun.”

Funny name

The A66 dualling project is a trial run for an initiative called Project Speed – clue in the name – which is meant to halve the time big road schemes take to complete. So far it’s potholes not roadblocks slowing things down, such as the Planning Inspectorate refusing to rubber stamp a route realignment around Warcop, on the Cumbria side (the inspectorate will announce a final decision on 29 August), and Costain pulling out of a four-way contractor arrangement for the scheme with Balfour Beatty, Keltbray, and Kier.

And the floorspace?

Uncertainty hasn’t helped the spin-off commercial property prospects that the improved A66 ought to deliver. Scotch Corner would make a sensible place for big sheds – the 2012-2028 Richmondshire Plan said so – but there’s nothing much to see by way of progress since. The plan – written years ago – woefully noted: “Although well located for both the A1 and A66, only a small amount of employment development has taken place at Scotch Corner. Planning permission was first granted for a major seven-hectare employment development next to Scotch Corner 20 years ago and remains a planning commitment, but development has not yet started.” That said, a designer village is in progress (opening next year) as is a 107,000 sq ft shed providing 37 units. So, something, but not a major logistics hub.

Turning orange

The A66 upgrade is one of an embarrassingly large number of major Northern infrastructure schemes rated as amber or red by the IPA. Ready? The East Coast Digital Programme, which will improve rail signalling from Grantham South, has had three consecutive years in the amber category. The East Coast Main Line Enhancement Programme, an effort to increase capacity and reduce journey times, scored a green in 2018/2019 and has been amber ever since.

Or red

And more: electrification of the Midland Mainline from Wigston to Sheffield
and Nottingham (MML3) is also in its second year of amber while HS2 phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) has moved smoothly from green to bright red. Red means “successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable. There are major issues with project definition, schedule, budget, quality and/or benefits delivery, which at this stage do not appear to be manageable or resolvable. The project may need re-scoping and/or its overall viability reassessed.”

Too much amber

And more: Phase 2b (Crewe to Manchester) is doing slightly better, and is stuck on amber, along with Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Transpennine Route Upgrade, both on amber for the last three years. The last is the low-fat version of a high-speed rail line including electrification, new track, digital signals, and increased opportunity for freight between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York.

­ELEVATOR PITCH

Going up, or going down? This week’s movers

Flexible workspace remains a loss-maker; science property is in the midst of a massive chemical reaction. Stand by for one, or the other, to vanish in a puff of smoke. Doors closing, going down!

Laboratories

The scramble to capture Manchester’s science, tech, and life science occupiers just got serious. Kadans Science Partner, the Dutch sci-tech floorspace giant, has submitted a detailed planning application for a life science building on the former Citroen dealership in Upper Brook Street, part of Manchester’s university district. Kadans Science Partner and McLaren are gunning for 215,000 sq ft of laboratories and 740 student beds in a 23-storey block.

Next door, Property Alliance and Moda are looking at 470,000 sq ft of life science accommodation and 1,100 student beds. Up the road at the former UMIST campus, Bruntwood SciTech and the University of Manchester are getting their planning ducks in a row ahead of a 4m sq ft development.

Demand for labs is said to be good, and growing, and nobody is quaking at the prospect of so much floorspace in what is still an experiment in a novel property sector. But as with any chemical experiment, getting the mix right will be everything.

WeWork woes

Is anybody making any money from providing flexible serviced workspace? Despite the good vibes, and a post-pandemic boost, big names are still taking a hit. This week US-based giant WeWork declared “substantial doubt exists about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” This followed a 4% increase in revenue but a stonking increase in quarterly losses, up from £234m to £311m. Membership also dropped back. The firm has four offices in Manchester (and 50 in London) and says it needs to see cheaper rental deals.

It was the same story over at IWG. Revenues at the Regus and Spaces operator were up 16% to £1.7bn, but profit was unchanged (there wasn’t any, pre-tax) because costs went up. It has plenty of debt, the cost of which turned an H1 operating profit of £90m into a pre-tax loss of £70m.

Analysts reckon IWG will move into profit before too long, but optimism in the flexible workspace world seems to come a lot easier than a reliable surplus of income over costs.

The post The Subplot | Infrastructure woes, flexspace, laboratories appeared first on Place North West.

The transport bodies have signed a collaboration agreement to deliver a joint vision for the six stations that will bring together land and infrastructure to establish future regeneration opportunities. 

Lord Peter Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail, said: “This is a landmark moment for Manchester and Salford, to see our two organisations build a partnership team to make the best of our resources and expertise.  

“Working jointly with the local authorities, we are putting passengers and rail services at the forefront of infrastructure investment and wider neighbourhood improvements.” 

The partnership will focus on transport upgrades and supporting regeneration that allows the two cities to meet the demands of future population growth and further support the regional economy, according to a joint statement. 

Over the next 12 months, TfGM and Network Rail will work together to produce a plan based on five shared goals: 

• Integrated transport system: Deliver a modern, integrated transport system.  This will attract customers and provide a service which encourages people to use public transport first and reduce reliance on cars 
• Development around stations: Take a joined-up approach to securing additional funding and maximising commercial development opportunities around the stations and assets.  This will increase the attractiveness of development opportunities by looking at them in a comprehensive way 
• Placemaking: Consider each station within the community, heritage, and cultural context to ensure wider social value is delivered. Creating a joined-up strategy for all the stations and an overarching vision which supports an integrated transport system 
• Towards net zero carbon: Ensure climate change and the journey to Net Zero is a key focus and is a priority for strategic decisions to support the stations 
• Access for all: Improve accessibility inside and around the stations and deliver ease of movement between the stations and the wider city. 

Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, added: “The ever-changing skylines across Salford and Manchester city centres reflect the extent to which Greater Manchester is growing. 

“As we deliver our Bee Network plans for a truly integrated network, it is vital our rail stations – and surrounding areas – evolve to meet these demands, and this new partnership signifies our joint commitment alongside Manchester and Salford districts to delivering a modernised railway that puts passengers and local communities at its heart.” 

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Chorley Council could take full ownership of the bus station  from as early as October 2023. 

The authority is now looking at what it can do to position Chorley Bus Station as a community asset. 

“For a long time, we have known how integral the bus station in the town centre is to residents and visitors to the borough and I am pleased we have agreed with Lancashire County Council to acquire the site,” said Cllr Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council. 

“I am of the firm belief that we as the local authority are best placed to understand our communities, our public spaces and town centre areas and that under our management, town centre assets such as this have the opportunity to really thrive.” 

The bus station opened in 2003 and is located opposite Chorley train station and next to the Market Walk retail complex, which Chorley acquired for £23m in 2013 and set about redeveloping. 

Bradley added: “This is a chance for us to take a much-used town centre asset on board and the make the absolute most of the opportunities a site such as this offers to the town centre.  

“We see the bus station as a gateway to the brilliant town centre, a safe place where people can meet, spend time in shops or cafés and get a feel for what the rest of Chorley has to offer. I cannot wait to get started.” 

Chorley Council is due to share more information on tis plans for the site in the coming months. 

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Wirral Council greenlit two active travel projects at its environment, climate emergency, and transport committee meeting on Monday. Both were developed with the assistance of Mott MacDonald, who worked with Planit-IE on the Charing Cross and Grange Road schemes and BCA Landscape on the Europa Boulevard and Conway Street projects.

Mott MacDonald and Planit-IE worked with the council to develop changes to Europa Boulevard. Credit: via consultation documents

The first scheme is valued at £9m and focuses on Conway Street and Europa Boulevard in Birkenhead. The project has received support from the government’s Future High Street Fund and Active Travel Fund.

Under the approved plans, Conway Street will see improvements between its junction with Hemingford Street and up to the roundabout at Argyle Street. There will be new trees planted, a fully segregated cycleway added, and improved access points installed.

A fully segregated cycleway is also planned for the west side of Europa Boulevard, which will receive new pavement and additional public realm through the removal of 50 spaces at the Europa Car Park.

How Wirral Council hopes Grange Road will look if its consultation plans are implemented. Credit: Planit-IE

The second project has a price tag of £3m and is centred on Grange Road, Charing Cross, and Grange Road West. Funding for this project also came from the Future High Street Fund.

This project includes upgrading street furniture, planting trees, and replacing pedestrian crossings. There would also be electric bollards installed at the junction of Grange Road and Charing Cross to create a timed vehicular access restriction. Consists of: Replacement of paving, new trees, upgrading street furniture.

Wirral Council will also trial a low-traffic neighbourhood on Grange Road West between its junction with Charing Cross and where the road meets Clayton Street.

With permission secured, the council can now move forward with appointing a contractor via the Procure Partnerships Framework. This will enable Wirral Council to spend its earned Future High Streets Fund and Active Travel Fund awards, which have a spending deadline of March 2024.

The post Wirral clears path for £12m Birkenhead active travel projects appeared first on Place North West.

BXB Cowley Hill is a joint venture between brownfield land specialist BXB and developer Promenade Estates.

The JV wants to create an internal spine road to serve the 104-acre Cowley Hill development after securing planning permission in March 2022 for up to 1,100 new homes, a hotel, and commercial space.

Connecting with the existing highway network at College Street and creating a new vehicle access point at Washway Lane, the road would run through the entire St Helens site.

Enabling works started on the wider project earlier this year, which will be delivered in four phases.

Plans for the spine road come as work starts on plot one, which will deliver 220 homes, a children’s play area, and an acre of public amenity space. Northern Land Agency has been appointed to market these homes.

Gary Goodman, director of BXB, said: “The delivery of the road unlocks the whole site as this application confirms the finished development platform level for the entire plot, drainage, and other infrastructure, entrances, and the site-wide landscaping and boundary treatments.

“It will coincide with the development platforms being completed on Plot 1 and provide an oven-ready solution for house builders.”

Nexus is the planning consultant for the scheme. Curtins is the highways engineer.

To find out more about the plans for the spine road, search for application number P/2023/0413/RES on St Helens Council’s planning portal.

Plans for the wider masterplan can be found by searching for application number P/2020/0083/OUEIA.

This is not the first time that BXB and Promenade Estates have worked together. Earlier this month, the JV was granted planning permission to deliver 130 homes and two stores in Thornton Cleveleys.

The post Plans lodged for spine road to unlock 1,100 St Helens homes appeared first on Place North West.

Cheshire West and Chester Council approved the draft masterplan for the Chester City Gateway at its cabinet meeting on Monday.

The regeneration site includes Station Square, Queens Road, Hoole Way Edge, Flookersbrook, Lightfoot Street West, Lightfoot Street East, and Northgate Links.

Known as the strategic regeneration program, the framework is underpinned by five key initiatives:

• An improved Chester railway experience: internal concourse improvements, an enhanced Station Square public realm, and the provision of additional bus stops
• Greater accessibility: active travel improvements such as the creation of a pedestrian and cycle bridge alongside the existing Hoole Bridge, reduction of private vehicle use from parts of Brook Street and City Road and removal of through traffic on Station Road, and the creation of a mobility hub for the railway station
• Consolidating car parking: the building one multi-storey car park on the existing Chester Station West NCP above the proposed mobility hub, as opposed to the existing 10 that are spread out
• High-quality public realm: enhancing the public space around City Road Boulevard, Hoole Way Landscapes, Station Square, Flookersbrook, Shropshire Union Canal, and Lightfoot Street
• Housing: the construction of up to 600 homes as part of the 10-year strategy.

View the draft Chester City Gateway SRF

Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail, said: “The approval of the Strategic Regeneration Framework is an important step in the transformation of this core part of the city.

“As a major landowner and long-term investor in regeneration projects, we have a unique ability to create partnerships such as these around vital transport hubs”, he continued.

“The combination of development and infrastructure expertise generates real value and will help to deliver an improved neighbourhood for Chester’s communities and visitors, alongside driving wider economic growth for the region.”

The project team for the scheme includes London-based design practice 5th Studio, alongside CBRE, Arup, and Royal Pilgrim.

LCR and CWAC held a public consultation on the masterplan in January.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration, and digital transformation at CWAC, said: “Chester is a fantastic and vibrant city, and the City Gateway area forms the first impression of many visitors to Chester.

“Approval of the Strategic Regeneration Framework means there is an aspirational vision for positive transformation”, he continued.

“Responses to the framework consultation show clear enthusiasm for improvements to the station experience, active travel, public realm, and new homes.”

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Liverpool City Council is set to accept an £11m grant from Active Travel England at its cabinet meeting next Tuesday to support the creation of three cycle lanes. These lanes will stretch from Vauxhall Road, West Derby Road, and Sefton Park towards the city centre.

The city council has secured £1m funding for a cycle route starting at Vauxhall Road, crossing through Commercial Road and Stanley Road. Funding will see upgrades to the junctions across this corridor, while the existing pop-up cycle lanes between Tithebarn Street and Boundary Street will become permanent.

A total of £5m has also been allocated to support the delivery of a permanent cycle route between Low Hill and Tuebrook Roundabout, from Farnworth Street to Muirhead Avenue, to replace the existing pop-up West Derby Road scheme.

Funding of £3.5m will enable the Aigburth Drive Gate and Croxteth Gate junctions to be upgraded to provide another permanent cycle route between Sefton Park and Princes Avenue, passing through Kingsley Road, Crown Street, and Towerlands Street.

The existing cycle lane at the Princes Avenue roundabout in Toxteth will also receive £2m funding to become a cycle-friendly junction with links to the proposed Sefton Park corridor.

All four schemes will include footpath upgrades, new crossing facilities, and street lighting improvements.

Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said: “This funding from Active Travel England is going to make a huge difference to people wanting to seek healthier ways to travel in and around Liverpool.

“The pop-up cycle lanes were right to be introduced in principal as Covid-19 created huge transport issues when lockdown began, but the fact is the council did not have the funding to maintain them as temporary measures”, he continued.

“The work that has since gone into designing permanent corridors has taken quite a bit of time, but that means we’ve been able to talk and listen to the communities and those who cycle to understand what the problems were with the temporary measures.”

Simon O’Brien, walking and cycling commissioner for Liverpool City Region, said: “It is fantastic to see this new funding being unlocked, to really help us push forward with our plans to help create a network of walking and cycling routes that befits the city.

“We’ve got some great active travel infrastructure, but we need to make sure it’s properly linked up so people feel confident that they can travel easily and safely by bike or on foot – that’s what this new funding will help to do”, he continued.

“The kind of schemes that will be delivered by this money gives us an amazing opportunity to help change the way we think about travelling around our local area.”

Elsewhere across the city, Liverpool City Council is currently holding a consultation on its plans to create an 8km cycle lane, connecting Childwall to the Lime Street corridor and the city’s waterfront.

It doesn’t end there for the city council’s active travel programme this month. A year-long scheme to improve 30 access points across the Liverpool Loop Line is set to complete, while a new cycle training facility at Everton Park will open in August.

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Grabham takes on Andy Heath, who left Merseyrail earlier this summer. Jane English had been acting managing director.

In addition to East Midlands Railway, Grabham has also worked as head of customer service East for Greater Anglia. Prior to joining the world of trains, Grabham worked at Signet Jewellers and Lidl.

As managing director at Merseyrail, Graham will be leading on the company’s roll out of class 77 trains, while also delivering high-quality services for passengers.

“This is an exciting time of transformation, with new trains being introduced, and the opportunity to deliver real improvements in the journey experiences of our customers,” Grabham said.

His appointment was met with satisfaction from the leaders of Merseyrail’s two main stakeholders: Serco and Transport UK.

Transport UK chief executive Dominic Booth said: “Neil’s focus on the customer and providing the best possible operational service levels, will be a great fit for the city region.”

John Whitehurst, managing director of Serco’s transport group, echoed Booth, remarking: “[Grabham] brings with him a wealth of experience and a real focus on customer service, which is so important for Merseyrail as we continue to transform the service on the back of the new train introduction.”

Both Whitehurst and Booth thanked Grabham’s predecessors, Heath and English, for their work with the company.

Merseyrail operates 600 rail services a day in the Liverpool City Region. Approximately 90,000 people travel on its trains every weekday.

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Edith Rigby Way, named after the famous Preston suffragette, is the largest of the three roads and links A583 Blackpool Road with Junction Two of the M55.

The two smaller roads, William Young Way and Avice Pimblett Way, will provide links to the northwest of Preston and Cottam. These roads are named after a Victoria Cross recipient and the city’s first female mayor, respectively.

Construction on the roads began in 2019. Lancashire County Council, which is in charge of the project, hopes that the new thoroughfares will reduce congestion and support the delivery of a proposed Cottam railway station.

Funding for the £207m project came from the Department for Transport ad the Lancashire Growth Deal, which is managed by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. Lancashire County Council, National Highways, and the Preston and Lancashire City Deal.

City Deal is an agreement between the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Preston City Council, South Ribble Council, and Lancashire County Council – and includes a £334m infrastructure programme.

Praising the road opening, roads minister Richard Holden said: “Hundreds of thousands of Lancashire residents rely on our local road network to get around for work, education, hospital appointments and to see loved ones, whether that’s by car, bus, or cycling and walking.

“That’s why it’s fantastic to see the new Edith Rigby Way finally open thanks to this government’s £31 million investment, which will help reduce congestion, cut journey times and create new local jobs, as we continue to improve transport connections to grow the economy.”

Similarly, Lancashire County Council Leader Cllr Phillippa Williamson described the road opening as “a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to improve connectivity and access to public transport infrastructure in Lancashire”.

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The footbridge sits underneath the Ordsall Chord railway bridge, which was built at the same time. The pedestrian bridge replaced Prince’s Street bridge, which was demolished in 2015 to make way for the railway bridge.

On one end, the bridge opens out onto Aviva Studios, the new name for Manchester’s Factory International venue. On the other side of the river sits English Cities Fund’s £60m, 211-apartment Novella. The Salford side also has panels that explore the history of the nearby grade one-listed Stephenson Bridge.

The Ordsall Chord footbridge was a £12m project for Network Rail. Remarking at the bridge’s official opening on Thursday, Network Rail principal development manager Jill Stephenson said: “It’s great to see this footbridge finally in use as it’s been waiting in the wings since the completion of the Ordsall Chord railway bridge in 2017.

“It was always built with the future in mind, and it’s been incredible to see the area redevelop on both sides of the river in recent years,” she continued.

“The footbridge can now play the role we always intended it to – connecting residents to their homes, workplaces, leisure, and world-class venues in both cities, directly underneath the iconic Ordsall Chord above.”

The Ordsall Chord project team included Skanska Bam, Siemens, Amey Sersa, Severfield, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Aecom, and Mott MacDonald. Architect BDP designed the two bridges.

“The design of Ordsall Chord was always about connectivity,” said BDP head of transport Peter Jenkins.

“It responded to both the unique context of the world’s first passenger railway and the position of the site straddling the city centres of Manchester and Salford,” he continued. “It considered the benefits to the city, unlocking railway routes, improving connections, and providing faster journey times.

“The pedestrian footbridge is the final piece of that puzzle, opening up new routes for the public, allowing people to get closer to this wonderful piece of design and engineering.”

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig, and Network Rail’s Jill Stephenson officially opened Ordsall Chord footbridge on Thursday. p Network Rail

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett and Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig were both present at the bridge’s opening.

Dennett said: “Bridges have played a huge role in literally bringing our cities together and forging links. Our two cities worked together to span the Irwell way back in 1830 with the Stephenson Bridge. Today, this bridge is further evidence of our joint commitment to opening up the cities and to providing alternative, greener options for crossing our famous river border.”

Craig added: “While the river Irwell is seen as a geographical boundary it is not a barrier between the flow of people, trade, and ideas. It’s particularly welcome that this new bridge will connect Aviva Studios, a world-class arts and social attraction and the new home of Factory International, and the new St Johns area with growing new districts on the Salford side of the Irwell.

“It’s a symbolic celebration of using culture as an economic and regeneration driver to deliver mutual success in growth of new jobs, communities, and districts to benefit our city region.”

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While the developer plans to build almost 200 homes on part of the 27-acre former Castleton sidings, perhaps the more significant part of the scheme – in terms of the regeneration of the wider area – is the opportunity to unlock rail expansion. 

The Castleton sidings site has been identified as key to facilitating the extension of the East Lancashire Railway from Heywood to Castleton and increasing annual visitors from 107,000 to 200,000. 

In addition, the sidings have also been earmarked for a future tram/train trial “with the intention for the Metrolink to be extended through Castleton to Heywood and Bury”, according to a planning statement by consultancy WSP. 

More than 10% of the homes are earmarked for affordable tenures. Credit: via planning documents

Kellen, whose scheme features more than 10% affordable provision, is working with ELR and other stakeholders to ensure the scheme is developed in such a way as to pave the way for the tram and train projects. 

WSP’s planning statement explains that the residential element will “release the ELR parcel, which will be transferred to the council to secure the ELR line extension along with additional services and facilities when funds allow”. 

The site is identified as a strategic development allocation in the emerging Places for Everyone joint plan.  

To learn more about the scheme, search for reference number 23/00431/HYBR on Rochdale Council’s planning portal. 

The development is Kellen’s second in Rochdale. The developer, headed up by Renaker founder Daren Whittaker, is also planning to bring forward 311 homes of the former Rex Mill site.

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Properties at Salford Innovation Park and Wynne Street on opposite sides of Frederick Road are to be knocked down this summer so that Salford Rise can be delivered.

Rhodar was selected to carry out the work out of a shortlist of five contractors, scoring maximum points for cost and an overall score of 94.5% for its tender. The next highest score was 73.8%, according to a report to Salford City Council’s procurement board.

A contractor for the main construction work is yet to be appointed.

Salford Rise is a near five-acre podium to be constructed over Frederick Road to unlock development potential within the 250-acre masterplan. 

Being delivered by English Cities Fund on behalf of Salford City Council and the University of Salford, the masterplan also maps out the development of more than 3,000 homes, 1m sq ft of space to innovate and collaborate, alongside 1m sq ft of offices, retail & leisure, a new multi-modal transport hub and green space. 

Salford Rise is seen as a key piece of the masterplan, linking two areas separated by Frederick Road. 

The project will see an 11-metre-wide, 90-metre-long podium constructed. The scheme is aimed at removing a “significant barrier to movement” within the 250-acre masterplan area and turning the area into a 15-minute neighbourhood. 

Designed by Make Architects, the infrastructure/public realm project is being funded by £13m received from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. 

Structural engineer Cundall and landscape architect Planit-IE are also on the Salford Rise team, as well as fire safety engineer Design Fire Consultants.  

Perhaps the most important among the projects to benefit from the Salford Rise scheme will be Crescent Innovation, a key component of the Salford Innovation Triangle named in the recent Levelling Up White Paper as one of the UK’s innovation accelerators, which will see £100m invested into three public-private academic partnerships to encourage research. 

This area will focus on creating a research, development, and innovation campus that will sit at the northern gateway of Salford Rise. 

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This second pier will help increase capacity and help futureproof the airport by providing 12 gates that allow passengers to walk directly onto the aircraft, as well as flexible aircraft stands that can accommodate planes of various sizes – including the large, double-deck Airbus A380.

The pier will mirror its predecessor, which is known as Pier 1 and opened in 2019. Mace’s construction programme for Pier 2 includes efforts to reduce embodied carbon emissions by up to 40%, such as pre-casting the concrete, manufacturing certain parts off-site, and reducing the amount of excavation work required.

“This exciting next phase of Manchester Airport’s transformation is giving us the opportunity to implement ideas, methodologies and solutions that will allow us to speed up delivery, reduce carbon and, crucially, minimise impact to the live airfield operations,” said Carl Dainter, head of global aviation at Mace Consult.

“This is only possible due to the collaborative and integrated relationship with have with the client and supply chain. By working as one team with shared values and objectives, we’re making excellent progress towards our 2025 open-to-passengers target.”

The new pier is part of the Manchester Airport Group’s £440m final phase of the aviation hub’s broader transformation programme. The programme, which was announced in 2015, has already resulted in Terminal 2 doubling in size. This final phase also includes building a second security hall, extending the departure lounge to include 27 new shops and restaurants, and reconfiguring the airfield.

Jill Fraser, transformation programme delivery director at Manchester Airport, described the project as ensuring “passengers travelling through Manchester Airport will have an experience befitting a major global hub and allow us to operate in a sustainable way into the future”.

The Manchester Airport transformation programme is set to conclude in 2025. More than an estimated 500 jobs will be created during the construction process, according to MAG. As part of its contract, Mace will donate 500 hours of employee time for volunteering and will aim to have at least 5% of those working on the scheme be apprentices.

When work completes, the airport estimates that 80% of its passengers will use Terminal 2.

MAG deputy chief executive, and soon-to-be chief executive, Ken O’Toole said the transformation programme would “revolutionise the customer experience” of those travelling.

“We are already seeing the benefits of the first phase of our investment, with passengers and airlines providing excellent feedback on our extended Terminal 2,” O’Toole said. “Through this second phase, we will deliver yet more improvements to the passenger experience and cater for the growing network of airlines operating from Manchester.”

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held on Monday. Credit: via MAG

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Liverpool City Council has launched a public consultation on its plans to create an 8km cycle lane, connecting Childwall to the Lime Street corridor and the city’s waterfront.

Wavertree Sports Park, the University of Liverpool, and Liverpool Hope University will also feature along the corridor.

Proposals also include new and improved footpaths, pedestrian crossing facilities, and landscaping.

The route has been broken down into three sections: city centre, Wavertree, and Childwall.

The city centre would benefit from the delivery of a cycle track through Renshaw Street, Leece Street, Hardman Street, and Myrtle Street, as well as updated crossing facilities at key junctions.

Through Wavertree, a cycle track would be provided on Earle Road, along with active travel crossings at the Smithdown Road and Upper Parliament Street junction.

Childwall would see safer cycle facilities on Fir Lane and Woolton Road with motorbikes separated.

Cllr Dan Barrington, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “The Childwall-city corridor has the potential to make cycling an easier option for tens of thousands of people.

“When you factor in how it will connect to other routes, you start to see the impact this could have – be it in our environment, our air quality, and people’s physical and mental wellbeing”, he continued.

“Rebalancing the shift away from cars to more active travel is also going to be fundamental for any city in its pursuit in tackling climate change.”

These proposals are one of six permanent travel routes the city council is delivering as part of its active travel programme, which seeks to benefit cycling and walking in the region.

The Liverpool Loop Line running from Halewood to Aintree and a new cycle training facility at Everton Park are set to open next month.

Other initiatives in the programme include travel routes through West Derby Road, Vauxhall Road, and Sefton Park, as well as corridors from East Lancs Road and Speke to the city centre.

Simon O’Brien, walking and cycling commissioner for the Liverpool City Region, said: “Cycling is great for air quality and the environment, and brilliant for our physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“But we shouldn’t just think of getting on our bikes as exercise – it’s also a cheap and easy way to commute to work, travel to school or college, and even pop to the local shops”, he continued.

“But to encourage more people to leave the car at home for short journeys we need to make cycling a really attractive option by building safe, separated routes where people can ride their bikes with confidence.”

The consultation on the proposals for the Childwall to city centre route will run until 31 July.

Following the consultation, a business case will be submitted for funding. If successful, a tender will be sent out for a contractor by winter.

The post Liverpool seeks feedback on major cycle lane appeared first on Place North West.

Transport for Greater Manchester provided input on the CGI, which was created by Greig Penny Architecture for Manchester City Council.

It is hoped that the image will help strengthen the city council’s case against the government’s plans for an overground turnback station at Piccadilly. The image shows the public realm potential of the station, giving a taste of what the entrance of the station could look like for pedestrians. It is the result of an ongoing discussion between Manchester City Council and Bennetts on different station scenarios.

A potential vision for the station itself was developed by architecture firm Weston Williamson + Partners in 2020. Last year, the firm said that those proposals were “oven-ready” if the government wanted them.

The latest image release comes as Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig prepares to speak in front of Parliament to advocate for a change in HS2 government policy.

Craig is expected to repeat her calls for an underground station, rather than an overground one, when she gives evidence this afternoon at Parliament’s High-Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill Select Committee.

An overground HS2 Piccadilly station would require the building of a concrete viaduct of up to six tracks wide. This viaduct would run from Ardwick to Piccadilly. This station would be at full capacity once Northern Powerhouse Rail services begin as well, according to Manchester City Council. It is also estimated to cost £5bn less than an underground station – and able to be delivered 13 years sooner, according to a report by HS2.

An underground through-station is the preferred design by the council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. They argue that an underground station would enable substantial investment in the Piccadilly area that could create housing and green space and, ultimately, support 14,000 jobs. An underground station could result in a local economic uplift of £333m a year, according to the city council.

“We are urging the government to learn from mistakes elsewhere and build the right station for Manchester that will better serve us for the next century,” Craig said. “Our railway system needs investment now and for the future.”

She added later: “But the current plan for an overground station that travels into the city on concrete stilts, with limited resilience and likely to be at full capacity from day one, is the wrong one.

“It might be cheaper in the short-term but this penny-wise, pound-foolish approach will cost the city and the North much more in missed opportunities,” she continued.

“We need to ‘build it right and build it once’ with an underground station, which increases capacity and connectivity for the whole of the North, while providing a world-class welcome to the heart of our city-region…

“An underground through-station is the only way to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail in full and, by having it underground, we get to create more jobs and put more money back into the Manchester and UK economy.”

Craig concluded; “It also means we avoid unsightly concrete viaducts, the height of three double-decker buses, cutting through communities and prime city centre development land being swallowed.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham voiced his support for Craig’s appeal to Parliament.

“Getting better east-west connectivity is the single biggest transport policy priority not just in the North of England, but the whole country,” he said.

“Government needs to look at the bigger picture here, because this is a decision which shapes our future and they are at risk of getting it seriously wrong.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Cllr Craig’s call for an underground station at Piccadilly because if we get the wrong solution, it will limit economic growth, limit opportunities for local businesses and people, and to leave us with the wrong railway for another century would be a hammer blow to levelling up our country.”

Parliament’s High-Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill Select Committee meets at 4pm. You can watch the proceedings live at parliamentlive.tv/Committees.

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Manchester City Council is delivering the project, which it hopes will lead towards Ancoats Green becoming a ‘people first’ neighbourhood.

The eight-storey Ancoats Mobility Hub will sit off Poland Street and provide for the community’s parking needs while reducing the space allocated for parking – space that can then be used for community areas and public realm. The hub would also reduce traffic through the neighbourhood.

“The Ancoats Mobility Hub proactively responds to climate, health, and sustainable transport priorities, and we congratulate the council for their continued commitment to creating inclusive and healthy urban neighbourhoods brought to life by their vibrant communities,” said Marty Edelman, executive chairman of Manchester Life.

He added later: “With parking removed from individual developments, Manchester Life and others can proceed with residential developments across the Poland Street area that prioritise space for local businesses, community interaction, and giving residents direct access to shared and sustainable transport choices.”

Main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland is currently on site with the scheme, which will also feature more than 16,100 sq ft of rooftop solar panels.

B+K  regional pre-construction director Ben Goldstraw said “After progressing the exciting Ancoats Mobility Hub for many months, Bowmer + Kirkland is delighted to commence construction, continuing our successful partnership with Manchester City Council to deliver an outstanding facility that aligns with our joint values of sustainability and social value.

“Procured through the North West Construction Hub framework, Ancoats Mobility Hub is a true example of collaboration at its best, with many stakeholders working together to provide a game-changing, ‘UK-first’ facility that prioritises low carbon and digital connectivity,” he continued.

The Ancoats Mobility Hub has been designed by architect Buttress and landscape architect Planit-IE.

Buttress director Matthew Burl said: “It’s a very exciting project as the aim of the project is to simultaneously discourage the use of on-street parking and to make room for more public open spaces, cycling and walking routes.

“A key element of this is minimising car parking in the public realm as well as around the residential buildings,” he said.  “This increases the possibility for more active frontages, community spaces and commercial opportunities within the built environment.

“By promoting EV charging the Ancoats Mobility Hub will help accelerate the move away from fossil fuel vehicles and improve air quality and protect the environment.“

Kennedy Redford is the project’s parking, civil, and structural engineer, while Harley Haddow is handling MEP and sustainability. WSP is the transport and traffic consultant and Design Fire Consultants is advising on fire safety.

Funds for the £28m project come from Homes England.

Homes England director of infrastructure funding Pauline Schaffer said: “The regeneration of Ancoats is an example of urban transformation and place-making at its best. As the introduction of the innovative Mobility Hub shows, there is real thought into how the neighbourhood works as a place to live now, and how it might need to work in the future, with provision for car share schemes and electronic vehicle charging points.

“Sustainability, great design, and a dedication to partnership working are at the heart of this project, and we’re proud to have supported Manchester City Council to bring this to life.”

The Ancoats Mobility Hub will unlock the delivery of 1,500 homes, according to Manchester City Council. This includes plans for 128 low-carbon homes off Rodney Street, a project being delivered by the city council’s housing development company This City.

Other projects that will benefit from the hub include Great Places’ plans for 68 affordable homes off Downley Drive and 39 affordable homes on the site of the old Ancoats Dispensary. Manchester Life’s 190-apartment Jersey Wharf, 118-flat Eliza Yard, and 256-home Phoenix Ironworks will also utilise the space for part of their parking provisions – in addition to providing disability bays on each development site.

Regarding Ancoats’ future and the mobility hub’s place in it, Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “Upcoming development will deliver 1,500 new homes and the transformation of the local park in this part of our city centre and the hub ensures that Ancoats will be not just renowned for regeneration, but for its sustainability – creating a low carbon, green neighbourhood that should be a model for future city centre investment.”

Planning consent for the Ancoats Mobility Hub was secured in July 2021 by Deloitte. Developer Manchester Life assisted Manchester City Council with the design and planning process. The planning application’s reference number on the Manchester City Council planning portal is 130627/FO/2021.

The post Work on ‘game-changing’ £28m Ancoats Mobility Hub gets underway appeared first on Place North West.

The Carlisle Southern Link Road scheme is robust, including four roundabouts, four road bridges, four shared-use overbridges, and a combined cycle and footpath.

Cumberland Council, which is leading the project, said that construction is expected to take two years. Over the course of that time, 10,000 trees will also be planted along the road.

The local authority is aiming to have the road open for public use during the summer 2025.

Galliford Try managing director David Lowery said that the company was “incredibly proud” to be working on the road project.

“Being able to work with Cumberland Council in a collaborative and integrated manner, which fully includes our partners, is incredibly important to us,” Lowery continued.

“As well as providing a scheme which creates significant improvement to connectivity and infrastructure within Cumbria, we will, together, create a positive legacy for the surrounding communities and ensure that economic growth and prosperity is supported through our activity.”

The Carlisle Southern Link Road is seen as a key element in the delivery of the 10,000-home St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, situated on more than 3,000 acres of land south of Carlisle.

Reflecting on the link road, Cllr Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s executive member for sustainable, resilient, and connected places, said: “The project will vastly improve east to west connectivity as well as unlocking the delivery of the St. Cuthbert’s Garden Village that will deliver 10,000 new homes over the next 30 years and bring employment opportunities and significant benefits to the city and the wider county.”

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities has contributed £212m for the project, while the council has committed a further £13.8m. Homes England is also assisting with the funding of the project.

John Stevenson MP for Carlisle said: “The Southern Link Road demonstrates Government’s commitment to Carlisle. The £212 million investment into our city to improve our infrastructure, will ensure that the West of Carlisle has a direct route to the M6 without having to go through the city.”

Pauline Schaffer, director for infrastructure funding at Homes England, added: “Infrastructure projects like this are a great example of how we can support ambitious local authorities to create new homes and places in their area.”

Galliford Try secured the £136m contract for the link road in March.

Learn more about the development scene in Cumbria. Book your Cumbria Development Update ticket.

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Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive will meet later this week to approve the award of contracts for the two schemes, which form part of the authority’s £40m levelling up programme. 

The improvements to Junction 5 of the M65 are to be carried out by Balfour Beatty. The project is aimed at “tackling congestion, addressing safety concerns, and driving prosperity across East Lancashire by releasing the potential for growth,” according to a report to the council’s executive. 

The scheme will see the M65 southbound and northbound exit slip roads widened from two lanes to three. 

In addition, the northbound and southbound entry slip roads will also be widened to allow for the construction of segregated left turn lanes for traffic entering the motorway. 

WSP has been selected to map out proposals for the Southeast Blackburn Walking and Cycling Network. 

The project is aimed at “giving residents better access to local amenities and opportunities, increasing levels of physical activity, and reducing the number of vehicular trips on the local road network,” according to the report. 

The scheme will see in excess of 17km of cycling and walking infrastructure introduced around the town centre, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and the hospital. 

Both projects, which have been allocated £20m of BwD’s £40m Levelling Up Fund award, closely link to the council’s Blackburn Growth Axis plans, which links to the nearby Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, soon to be home to the new National Cyber Force headquarters. 

In total, the projects will cost between £25m and £30m to deliver, according to the council. 

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This equates to around 3,100 applications a year for Active Travel England to review, according to government estimates.

Making ATE a statutory consultee will help ensure the proper active travel infrastructure in future developments. Though it will be consulted on applications, ATE will not have any powers to control a planning application’s outcome.

“Designing activity back into our neighbourhoods and creating places where children have transport independence is achievable – it just needs smart planning,” said active travel commissioner Chris Boardman.

“As a statutory consultee, ATE will work with planning authorities and developers to help them ensure new estates give people what they need to get fresh air and exercise, save money on petrol and help fight climate change.”

Industry professionals in the North West welcomed the decision to make ATE a statutory consultee.

“It’s good to see that Government is committed to ensuring active travel is fully considered within placemaking and creation more generally, rather than just being seen as an infrastructure issue,” said Tom Roberts, technical principal at Mott Macdonald.

“The relationship between how people choose to move and urban density especially has been long overlooked in the UK,” he continued.

“It will be interesting to see how these new teeth will play out within a predominantly low-density volume housebuilding model, and with local highways teams who have experienced considerable cuts to their budgets over recent years.”

Annabel Precious, regional director of Civic Engineers, had similar thoughts, calling the move a “step in the right direction”.

“It not only raises awareness and understanding of active travel and its benefits but it also allows Active Travel England to take a proactive role in encouraging and training local authorities who are the ones ultimately determining the planning applications,” she said.

“Hopefully this is just a first step, as it’s only by including active travel in all future developments that we can really start to change behaviours and mindsets and ensure our towns and cities are designed around people and not the car.”

Neil McAlpine, director of transport and movement planning at LUC, was also positive about the change.

“We often find that active travel is not at the heart of the project from the start, often due to differing priorities from the design and the local authority teams,” he said.

“The inclusion of Active Travel England is a positive step forward to encourage placemaking and active travel to be a key component of a site design from the very outset. This would have positive benefits for all as the health and wellbeing impacts of active travel will be embedded into the site design.”

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