Salford Rise is a 220m tree-lined pedestrian and cycle route with landscaping and adjacent spaces for events. A 90m elevated parkland bridge sits at its heart and will span the busy Frederick Road, which currently bisects the northern and southern areas of the masterplan and presents a significant barrier to community connectivity.
Oliver Hall, architect at Make, said: “Salford Rise will deliver 2.5ha of public space with cycle lanes and routes connected into it. It’s a moment in time that allows us to develop a pedestrian-focused heart to this scheme and prioritise connectivity and people over buildings and uses. There will be massive change in this area in the coming years, and it’s a real testament to the aims of the joint venture team that they saw the benefit in establishing this element first.”
The route, bordered to the north by Broughton Road East and to the south by the Peel Park university campus, will flow from Peel Park itself, which is currently completely landlocked, and include a rich and varied planting palette with seating, events and dwell spaces.
Working with Cundall and Planit IE, Make has designed the bridge as an innovative hybrid steel space truss with a composite concrete deck bridge. It supports the weight of a diverse and continuous landscape with its lightweight structural design.
The wider Make-designed Crescent Masterplan aims to deliver more than 3,000 homes; over 1,000,000ft2 of space to innovate and collaborate, driven by University of Salford; and 1,000,000ft2 of space for offices, retail, leisure plus an additional new multi-modal transport hub set within expansive green space to promote active travel.
Maggie Grogan, development director at ECF, said: “Both the partnership and the vision for Crescent is unique. It’s clear that excitement around what we’re looking to achieve here is building, as we work hard with and for the people of Salford to turn that vision into reality.
“Essentially people make place, and Salford Rise will remove a significant barrier to movement across the wider masterplan, enabling the delivery of Crescent Innovation, bringing communities in the surrounding area together while connecting them to the opportunities to thrive and prosper.
“Together with the community, we’re forging ahead with our collective vision to create a robust and resilient Salford that’s seen on a global stage as a leader of innovation, collaboration and placemaking.”
Once planning is consented, work is anticipated to start in summer 2022.
