26 Jan 2025 ● Chris Eccles
Regeneration Plans To Create 5,000 Full & Part Time Jobs In Salford
Salford is set to experience a major economic boost with plans to create thousands of new jobs and pump millions of pounds into the city.
A new mayoral development zone is being proposed by Salford City Council, Trafford Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to accelerate development in the western part of the region, known as the "Western Gateway".
This initiative is expected to deliver significant benefits for Salford, with the council anticipating the creation of over 5,000 jobs and a £6.4 million annual boost to the local economy through business rates.
The plans outline the development of up to 511,000 square metres of new employment space, including land at the council-owned Salford Community Stadium in Eccles, strategically located near the M60 motorway.
At the same time, Trafford Council is exploring plans for a mayoral development corporation focused on Old Trafford and Trafford Wharfside, potentially including the redevelopment of Manchester United's iconic football ground.
A crucial element of the Western Gateway strategy involves leveraging the potential of Port Salford, a major distribution hub accessible by ship, road and rail, with the capacity for five million square feet of logistics space.
However, Salford City Council has emphasised the need for "significant highway and rail infrastructure" investment to drive these plans forward. This could include:
- New road infrastructure connecting Port Salford and Trafford Waters
- Enhanced rail capacity at Port Salford
- Improved transport links to Eccles town centre
- Wider improvements to the local road network
By establishing a new development zone in partnership with Trafford Council and the GMCA, Salford City Council aims to streamline investment and planning processes, ensuring coordinated progress under the leadership of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Announcing the news, the Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, said: “We fully welcome these important regeneration plans, they present a really positive step for the future growth of this area. This gives us the opportunity to explore all options associated with this area and together with our colleagues at Trafford Council and the GMCA, it means we can begin serious conversations about shaping the future of this part of the region.”
“Our attention will very much be on Port Salford and how the plans in Trafford dovetail with our joint ambitions to realise significant growth opportunities in the ‘Western Gateway’ area. Key to this is exploring opportunities to secure significant infrastructure investment.”
“The economic benefits associated with these opportunities are huge and we now need to ensure that we work collectively so that they are fully realised,” added the Mayor.
Salford City Council's cabinet is hoping to endorse the initiative at its next meeting on Tuesday, 28th January.
