Have you ever been to Salford Quays? Have you heard of it before? Salford Quays is in Salford, Greater Manchester, England. Before Salford Quays, this site was the location of the Manchester Docks. With the closure of the docks in 1982, Salford became the first and largest urban regeneration project in the UK. Read on to learn more about the history and regeneration of this bustling area!
History of Salford Quays
Salford is a city in Greater Manchester. Salford's history is long, with human activity dating back to the Stone Age. During the Industrial Revolution, Salford boomed due to the textile industry.
As a result of the Industrial Revolution and trade, the Manchester Ship Canal Company built the Manchester Docks, beginning in 1887. The docks comprised Salford Docks and Pomona Docks, with the former one being the larger of the 2. Queen Victoria opened these docks in 1894.
Fig. 1 - Location of Salford, UK. Map data: © 2022 Google
The Manchester Docks were the 3rd busiest port in the UK at their height. Then, in the 1970s, containerisation happened. Containerisation meant that more goods could be transported at any one time, but it required larger ships. These ships could not navigate the canal, and the docks fell into decline. The docks ultimately closed in 1982, resulting in job losses for thousands of people, shattering the local economy, and the area becoming derelict.
Salford City Council purchased the docks in 1984, recognising the need to redevelop and regenerate the area, and in 1985 the Salford Quays Development Plan came to be, proposing a complete redevelopment for commercial, residential, and leisure use.
Salford Quays before regeneration
The Salford Docks, part of the Manchester Docks, was a thriving port during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This led to plenty of job opportunities, and large communities sprung up with the workers and their families.
The Salford Docks were made up of 4 large docks, numbered 9, 8, 7 and 6 (east to northeast). The last three were located off a turning basin, a large enough basin for ships to turn in any direction. Number 9 dock was the largest one in Salford and was opened in 1905 by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
Fig. 2 - Manchester Docks c. 1900.
Business was booming, with main cargoes being cotton, grain and timber, and other commodities from around the world such as tea, fruit, live and frozen cattle, and oil. Up to 5,000 people worked at the docks at its height, with jobs being highly competitive.
Then things changed. Containerisation increased ship sizes which could no longer fit in the canal. This containerisation, combined with dock strikes, increasing aviation and motorway and railway systems, the docks fell into decline and eventually closed in 1982.
The closure of the docks led to heavy job losses, with about 3,000 people becoming unemployed. This had a massive socioeconomic impact:
- There was an increase in crime and vandalism.
- Neighbourhoods became derelict.
- Businesses moved away or closed down.
- People who could afford it moved away, leaving behind the communities' poor(er) people.
- Services and amenities declined.
The impact on the land and environment was also considerable. The land became derelict and contaminated, and the surrounding water was polluted and useless.
Salford Quays regeneration
When the docks closed in 1982, there were a lot of issues:
- the land was left derelict and contaminated.
- Communities fell into social problems.
- High rates of unemployment.
- Local housing areas fell into disrepair.
In 1984, the derelict Salford side of the canal was bought by the Salford council by using the derelict land grant. In May 1985, the Salford Quays Development Plan was adopted in order to redevelop the area.
The Salford Quays Development Plan
In order to start the regeneration, a development plan needed to be made. The plan aimed to reclaim water, roads and services:
- Water - new canals, promenades, water quality improvements and an inland waterway.
- Roads and services - 2 new loop roads to provide access to the newly developed sites.
- Public access and landscape - public waterfront promenades all around the site
The site would be 1/3 commercial use, 1/3 residential and 1/3 leisure. The government provided funding from the Urban Programme for regeneration.
1985-1990
The water quality was improved by separating the polluted water from the Ship Canal and installing a system that cleaned the water. They also created an inland waterway network, fish stocking took place, and two new canals and lock entrances were constructed for boats to navigate.
High-quality infrastructure was fundamental, so two new loop roads with services were designed to create access around the whole site, as well as a series of new road and pedestrian bridges were constructed.
Over 4 miles of safe accessible public walkways were created by using hard landscape and tree planting. They also created low jetties for water sports and boat mooring.
In terms of buildings, the following were created:
- Piers 5 and 6: A multiplex cinema, private housing, high-specification offices and leisure were developed.
- Pier 7: A high-tech office development.
- Pier 8: More extensive residential areas.
Even during these early stages, jobs were already being created so new employment was brought back to the area, with over 1,000 new permanent jobs by 1990.
After such a great start, the council realised that they needed to review the original plan. The review maintained the initial principles but also highlighted the following opportunities:
- Major commercial development with high-quality design.
- Metrolink and new routes and stations throughout Salford and onwards to Eccles.
- Creation of a flagship development for Salford and the North West, as well as an architectural landmark at the end of pier 8.
- The Salford Centre for Performing Arts was proposed.
There were also opportunities for commercial development and design competitions.
1990-1996
The Salford Centre for the Performing Arts was proposed to be on pier 8.
- 1989-1990, the concept for the centre, feasibility studies and market assessments were carried out.
- 1990-1991, decisions on the architecture had to be decided upon.
- 1992-1994, a master plan was prepared to locate the landmark building on pier 8, with water on both sides. The plan was also put forward to the Salford City Council and funding was sought. Then, in 1994. as the master plan developed, things evolved. The project got the name 'The Lowry Project', which comprised the Lowry building, the plaza, the Lowry footbridge, and commercial development.
1996 - 2005
The Lowry Project secured funding, and in April 1996, the project was handed to Salford City Council.
The building houses two theatres, galleries (including the world's largest L.S. Lowry collection), a hands-on interactive gallery, bars, café, restaurants and conference and hospitality facilities. The Lowry building opened as planned on 28 April 2000.
The Lowry plaza is a centralised place for people arriving at The Lowry via the bridge, road or on foot. It is surrounded by shops, cafes and The Lowry itself. The site even provided the finish for marathons, long-distance walks and triathlons during the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
The Lowry footbridge, also known as the Millennium Bridge, was also built, which created a link over the Manchester Ship Canal to Trafford, the site of the new Imperial War Museum North.
Fig. 3 - The Lowry footbridge spanning the Manchester Ship Canal. Salford Quays is located to the left, and Trafford Wharf to the right.
Furthermore, Metrolink arrives and runs all the way to Eccles, and it creates greater accessibility to The Quays; The Alexandra and The Victoria buildings are built on Dock 9, along with other high-quality commercial developments; A number of restaurants are opened next to the Metrolink station; In 2000 the Salford Tourist Information Centre opened, but it was transferred to the Lowry in 2004; In 2002, the Imperial War Museum North opened.
Fig. 4 - Imperial War Museum.
2005-2015
The Salford Watersports Centre was extended so it could accommodate facilities for Agecroft Rowing Club and community activities together with water management.
During these years, Salford Quays became a business district, an international tourism destination and a vibrant place to live.
Over these past 10 years, Salford Quays and Salford City have been a part of the regeneration of the Manchester Docks. Like Salford, the Manchester Docks was once a place where people just worked on the docks. The plan was to make the area as modern as Salford Quays, a plan that succeeded.
Consequences of the Salford Quays Development Plan
The development plan had several short and long-term consequences, both negative and positive:
Positive | Negative |
New housing | New housing - not all affordable |
Reduction in unemployment | Increase in workers, including immigration |
On-site construction jobs - provides work opportunities | On-site construction jobs - often short-term |
The plan allowed for large growth and new projects | Increased house prices |
New investment led to new jobs, industry, housing and green spaces | Traffic congestion |
Multiplier effect | Increased pollution |
Redevelopment of buildings | Increased cultural diversity - bringing in tension between cultures |
New schools, colleges, university buildings, hospitals, businesses and shops - also created new jobs | Relocation of existing business/services - Businesses having to leave the area due to redevelopment |
One of the biggest moves to Salford Quays is that of MediaCityUK.
In 2003, the BBC was considering a move from London to Manchester. In 2006, they chose Salford Quays to relocate to. Construction started in 2007, and in May 2011, the BBC employees started their transfer to this site. There are no traditional street names in the development, instead, the main roads are coloured: blue, white, pink, orange, purple, and green. It is called MediaCityUK (figure 5).
With the transfer to Salford, the BBC estimated 1,800 jobs would relocate with them. Another 1,000 new jobs were created, generating more work for locals.
MediaCityUK is home to several buildings, such as the Quay House, which is the BBC's main building from where programs such as BBC Breakfast are broadcasted; Bridge House, where programs such as Mastermind and BBC Bitesize are produced; The Orange Tower, an 11-story building that houses departments from the University of Salford and staff from ITV Grenada.
The following tenants are located in MediaCityUK:
- BBC
- ITV Granada
- NEP connect/ SIS LIVE
- University of Salford
- Dock10
- Others include about 40 service companies
- Shops and restaurants
Fig. 5 - MediaCityUK square.
Salford Quays regeneration problems
While the regeneration is considered an overall success, there were, and are, still issues.
When the docks closed in 1982, the land that was left behind was not only derelict but also heavily contaminated. Before any regeneration could even begin, this land had to be decontaminated. The surrounding housing area had fallen into major disrepair and there were significant socioeconomic problems, such as high unemployment rates and significant crime rates.
With the Salford Quays Development Plan also came the fact that many of the businesses that had still survived in the area had to be moved.
During the development and regeneration, many new jobs were created, bringing in more people, including immigrants, which created tension. The redevelopment also saw new housing being built, however, many of the houses are unaffordable to the less-than-wealthy people of Salford.
When the BBC relocated to Salford, there was a large influx of residents moving to the area. It took a few years for the infrastructure to keep up with the demand. The regeneration and development also brought with it an impact on the environment, with a lot of traffic and traffic congestion, leading to increased pollution. Despite these problems, many consider the regeneration of Salford Quays a success.
Salford Quays today
Salford Quays (figure 7) today is a major visitor attraction. There is the Lowry shopping mall, which includes a cinema, the Imperial War Museum, Old Trafford, art galleries, bars, restaurants and the Lowry Theatre. These places, along with the overall design of the area have increased tourism, which in turn increased the amount of money that has been invested into the area.
Transport and infrastructure have been greatly improved and due to good connections with Manchester city centre and beyond, work opportunities have gotten better as people could venture further away to find work. The social and economic benefits from Salford Quays have been felt throughout the Greater Manchester area and the North West in general.
Fig. 6 - Salford Quays, UK. Map data: © 2022 Google
Living in Salford Quays
With the (re)development and (re)branding of Salford Quays, came better living standards. The city is named one of the 7 best places in Manchester to live. The modern city has been developed without destroying green spaces, making it one of the UK's greenest cities. You can enjoy the waterfront, and urban and rural living all at once. And with all of this, house prices are relatively affordable.
Furthermore, with the higher income due to greater employment opportunities, and places to go, crime and vandalism have reduced. Overall, the regeneration of Salford Quays has been deemed a success!
Salford Quays - Key takeaways
- Salford Quays is located in Salford, Greater Manchester.
- Salford and the Manchester Docks bloomed during the Industrial Revolution.
- The Manchester Docks closed in 1982 due to containerisation. This resulted in:- Huge job losses- High unemployment- Communities and local housing fell into disrepair- The land was left derelict and contaminated.
- The area was bought in 1984 to regenerate it, and in 1985 the Salford Quays Development Plan was proposed; Over the next 30 years, the area was completely redeveloped, leading to things such as new jobs, new houses, and new businesses.
- Today, Salford Quays is a major tourist attraction and considered a great place to live.
References
- Fig. 3: The Lowry footbridge spanning the Manchester Ship Canal. Salford Quays is located to the left, Trafford Wharf to the right (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manchester_Ship_Canal,_Salford_Quays_(geograph_3720284).jpg) by David Dixon (https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/43729) Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en)
- Fig. 4: Imperial War Museum (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Imperial_War_Museum_2008cropped.jpg) by IxK85 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:IxK85) Licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en)
- Fig. 5: MediaCityUK square (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MediaCityUK_Piazza.jpg) by Chrisgg382000 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Chrisgg382000&action=edit&redlink=1) Licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)
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