£13m Salford Rise ‘boulevard in the sky’ plan moves forward at university

Plans for the multi-million pound ‘boulevard in the sky’ project at Salford University Campus are one step closer to becoming a becoming a reality.

The project received more than £13m in Levelling Up funding after a successful bid in October 2021 and has now been submitted to Salford City Council’s planning committee for approval.

The council approved entering into a grant funding agreement with English Cities Fund (ECF) for the provision of onward funding of the maximum sum of £13,170,933 at the recent Property Regeneration Briefing meeting.

The proposal is for a new high-quality pedestrian and cycle link between the Salford Innovation Park and surrounding residential area to the north of Frederick Road with the University of Salford of Salford (UoS) campus, Peel Park and the Crescent to the south.

Named the ‘Salford Rise’, it is expected to generate £200m of commercial development, more than 6,000 additional jobs and £7.5m in business rates.

What are the plans?

• The erection of a new green pedestrian and cycle bridge across Frederick Road and Wynne Street together with new public realm improvements

• Highway works including the closure of Wynne Street to vehicular traffic

• The removal of bollards on the corner of Lissadel Street and Strawberry Hill, the creation of a new access off Broughton Road East

• The demolition of buildings on Wynne Street, Winders Way and Salbec House

The planning statement said: “Whilst the proposals at Salford Rise technically represent a standalone planning application it is essential that they are viewed in the context of the wider illustrative masterplan, particularly in respect of ambitions surrounding the site in Innovation Zone North.

“The proposed development will provide an infrastructure ‘spine’ that will facilitate and accelerate the wider transformation of the area. As such, Salford Rise should not be seen in isolation but instead as a first step in a multi-phased development programme.”

Five key aims

According to the design and access statement, there are five key objectives to this masterplan:

• Removal of east-west barrier (Frederick Road): Pedestrian and cycle connectivity within the area will be enhanced, which allows greater movement in a north-south direction, opening up Innovation Zone North and driving further footfall.

• Creation of a safe pedestrian zone: The Salford Steps and Salford Rise will create a safe and accessible zone for pedestrians and cyclists using a shared space surface over the road connecting into city-wide cycling and walking infrastructure.

• Existing traffic flows not significantly impacted: Frederick Road will continue to operate as existing without traffic flows being significantly impacted.

• Connecting Innovation North: Use of the Salford Rise to link Innovation North (and the existing communities beyond) to Peel Park and main University Campus.

• Improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity: Facilitated through revised urban grain, with all routes leading north-south through the masterplan area.