A section of the Bridgewater Way in Salford was officially opened to the public this week.

 

The opening of the half mile section runs from Liverpool Road to Patricroft; where the historic canal crosses under the first commercial railway line from Liverpool to Manchester. The works done here mean improve the accessibility to the canal side allowing members of the community can enjoy the beauty of the canal more readily.

 

The towpath itself has been completed and is now suitable for walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs, buggies, fisherman; anyone who enjoys spending time along the canal side, with works in progress to install street furniture and heritage signage along the stretch.

 

Elsewhere on the Bridgewater Way sections are being opened in Wigan; from King Street Bridge to Elizabeth Street, and Runcorn; from Waterloo Bridge in the centre of a Runcorn to the village of Moore and after being part of the winning Connect2 bid to win a slice of £50 million lottery grant, the Sale to Stretford section of the Bridgewater Way in Trafford is now undergoing detailed planning. In total 10 miles of the 40 mile stretch have now been regeneration and are open to the public.

 

 

Mike Butterworth of Peel Holdings said, “We are delighted to have opened this section of the Bridgewater Way in Salford. We are opening a number of sections this month and are now a quarter of the way through completing this fantastic project. Once complete the Bridgewater Way will open up the canal side to all users enabling people to enjoy the beauty of this valued historic asset”.

 

 

Cllr Barry Warner, Salford City Council’s lead member for culture and sport, which includes tourism, added: “Our waterside attractions are a real asset to the city as well as a reminder of Salford’s heritage. 

 

“People often forget we’ve got more than 30 miles of rivers and canals in Salford and making even more of it accessible for everyone to  enjoy is great news for our visitors and residents.” 

 

The Salford West Regeneration Fund contributed £50,000 to the restoration. The fund will provide £4.6 million of investment between 2007 and 2011 to support a range of projects which encourage economic growth, high quality neighbourhoods and outstanding leisure assets across the west of Salford.