NWDA funds £4.4m New Islington canal works
A NEW footbridge is to be built over Rochdale Canal, connecting New Islington with neighbouring Ancoats, in east Manchester.
As part of the development works, two short section of canal will be also made to connect the New Islington canal to both Rochdale and Ashton Canals, allowing boaters to enter and moor in New Islington for the first time, while new paths and canal walkways will connect it to the city centre.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is granting £4.4m towards the works.
It says the investment will maintain momentum in a key regeneration scheme and ensure that New Islington is ready for future development when the economic climate improves.
Work around the park and canals was completed by English Partnerships between 2003 and 2008 but remains fenced off. This investment will complete the work on public areas around New Islington and allow these projects to be unlocked and open to pedestrians and boats for the first time.
The wider New Islington project, a mixed-use development on a 12.5 hectare site, will include a new primary school, a new health centre, 1,458 new homes and 29 retail units, once completed.
It has so far been delivered by a partnership of urban regeneration company New East Manchester, the Homes and Communities Agency, Manchester City Council, lead developer Urban Splash, Great Places Housing Group and funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Paul Lakin, executive director of land and property at the NWDA, said: “New Islington is a major regeneration scheme but was at risk of delay due to current market conditions.
“Our aim is to bring new life, activity and revenue into the area. These works will achieve that, and will boost private sector confidence so that once the market improves, New Islington will see the immediate effects.”
Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester said: “Opening up the area and connecting it to Ancoats and the Metrolink station at Pollard Street, through pathways and bridges, gives us the opportunity to attract more private sector investment through high quality commercial and residential schemes.”
Tom Bloxham said: “Our ambition for New Islington was to turn the Cardroom Estate, one of the worst council estates in Manchester, into a great new place. The vision is fast becoming a reality; we already have great new homes at Chips. Guest Street and Islington Square, a world class NHS clinic, Manchester’s newest park the Cotton Field, new canals and Old Mill Street is now one of the most striking roads in Manchester.”
As well as the footbridge and canal connections, the investment from the NWDA will fund: start-up costs for the canal marina, allowing it to immediately accommodate boats and collect mooring fees; improvements to public areas including new footpaths; a swing bridge adjacent to the Chips development; and paving along the New Islington Canal.
All work will be complete by the end of 2010.
