What's happening now with 'transformational' £2.5bn vision that's going to change Salford as we know it

The Salford Crescent masterplan, which aims to build 3,000 new homes as well as offices and a new pedestrian and cycling bridge, has got under way.

It includes creating one-million square feet of offices, retail and leisure facilities, and a new innovation zone around the University of Salford to bring together academics, researchers, and businesses. Bosses behind the plan say it will also bring a multi-modal transport hub to the city, alongside new public squares for festivals and events, and green spaces.

Work on the new bridge – known as Salford Rise – has already started, with ground works due to take place for the rest of this year before the expected completion date in summer 2026. It will create a 11-metre wide and 220-metre long bridge across Frederick Road, described as a “safe haven” for pedestrians and cyclists navigating the city. It aims to remove physical barriers around Salford Crescent and create a gateway between the University of Salford’s campus and Crescent innovation zone.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said the work will be “transformational” for the city. He added: “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.”

The Salford Rise project is partially funded by £13 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and is being created by the English Cities Fund (ECF) on behalf of Salford City Council.

Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor at Salford University, said: “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.”