This consultation is now closed
Factory
Opening in 2023, The Factory will commission, produce and present new work by the world’s most exciting artists. It will play an important role in the lives of Manchester residents, working with communities, and bringing jobs, skills, training and creative opportunities for local people and artists. It will attract new audiences and visitors to the city and is forecast to add £1.1 billion to the economy over a decade and create 1,500 direct and indirect jobs.
The Factory development is being led by Manchester City Council with funding from HM Government, Arts Council England, and the Council. Manchester International Festival will programme and operate The Factory, as well as delivering the citywide Festival every other year.
Proposed changes
As work has progressed on the construction of The Factory, proposals have been further developed for the space outside the building and the streets leading up to it. Two new public squares will open the area around the building, making the most of its river frontage and providing additional outdoor space for year-round activities.
It is proposed that Water Street – which has been closed to traffic for the last six years – permanently closes to general traffic but remains open to cyclists and pedestrians.
The Factory is situated on Water Street with Quay Street to the north and the Science and Industry Museum to the south. The building’s structure spans across Water Street towards the River Irwell.
The Factory’s unique design has allowed the creation of a significant area of public realm space, making the most of its river frontage and providing additional outdoor space for year-round activities.
We have jointly modelled all current highway proposals for the City Centre including future developments, the closure of Water Street and the closures and one-ways proposed for Deansgate.
As part of the development proposals, several changes to the highway are proposed which involve amendment of existing, and new Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO), and include the following:
General Highway
- A restriction of driving except for cyclists, blue badge parking, and access along Water Street from its junction with Liverpool Road, north eastwards for approximately 64m
- Prohibition of Driving (POD) except for cyclists and loading, from a point around 64m northeast of its junction with Liverpool Road, north-eastwards for approximately 130m, which includes under that factory building
- Eight disabled bays located on the north-western side of Water Street northeast of Liverpool Road and the corresponding revocation of the existing ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ and ‘No Loading at Any Time’ restrictions along this length of carriageway
Coach Parking
- Two new coach parking bays on the eastern side of Water Street just to the southwest of the viaduct (20 mins limit)
- Four new coach parking bays on the western side of New Elm Road to the south of its junction with Water Street (4 hrs limit)
- One new coach parking bay on the eastern side of New Elm Street just to the northwest of Potato Wharf (4hrs limit)
- Four new coach parking bays on the northern side of Quay Street, just to the west of Little Quay Street (20 mins limit outside peak hours).
Retractable bollards will be provided to restrict access to the POD.
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Have Your Say
This consultation is now closed therefore no further submissions will be considered