Bridge swings into place in New Islington
18 October 2010
A dozen children from St. Anne’s RC Primary School in Ancoats, East Manchester will today (Monday 18 October) be the first people to cross a new swing bridge in New Islington.
The footbridge forms an important part of the new promenade that links Ancoats Urban Village with New Islington and the new Metrolink station on Pollard Street (due to open spring 2012). It is within the new marina, currently being built, and next to Will Alsop's iconic Chips building. The 10 metre long steel bridge, has slip resistant timber decking and wooden hand rails and is nearly 2.5 metres wide to allow cyclists to use it easily.
The bridge is part of extensive £4.4 million public realm works funded by the NWDA which also includes work on the new marina for narrow boats and promenade, bridges and pathways to connect the area with Ancoats and a park keepers hut to house amenities for boaters.
The public realm work is being under taken on behalf of urban regeneration company New East Manchester by award-winning Manchester based developer, Urban Splash in partnership with the NWDA, the Homes and Communities Agency and Great Places Housing Group.
Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester, said: "This is the last of five swing bridges to be put in place along the promenade currently being built in New Islington, so this is an important milestone in the development of New Islington. This bridge will help connect the tram station on Pollard Street and Cotton Field, the newly created park, allowing local residents and visitors easy access to this stunning new public space on the edge of the city centre."
Paul Lakin, Director of Land and Property at the NWDA, said: "The regeneration of New Islington was a major project at risk of stalling because of market conditions. Now, huge changes are taking place to create an attractive environment which will spark private sector investment.
"Finishing the bridge is a key step in our objective to improve overall access which will bring new life and vitality to New Islington."
The first section of promenade will open to the public before Christmas, with the full length expected to be open by spring next year.
For more information about New Islington visit http://www.east-manchester.com/ or http://www.urbansplash.co.uk/.
