Masterplan vision for Eccles town centre regeneration approved
Salford City Council’s Cabinet has approved the Eccles town centre masterplan vision for up to 1,300 homes — a major step forward in the town’s regeneration, and we’re developing a coordinated transport and movement strategy to support it.
The approval gives Salford City Council and Muse a shared overall regeneration framework to guide future investment, development and rejuvenation across the town centre.
Matt Whiteley, senior development manager at Muse, said:
“We are incredibly proud to have reached this point with Salford City Council and the Eccles community.
“It is an exciting time for Eccles. We are looking forward to progressing the next steps, bringing more activity into the town centre in the meantime and continuing to work closely with the community as proposals develop.”
Our Manchester transport planning team is assessing how the existing transport network can accommodate the proposed regeneration. We’re also identifying opportunities to improve connectivity, accessibility and movement throughout the town centre.
The work includes reviewing the surrounding highway network’s operation and assessing what impact future development would have on traffic and parking in the area. We’re also exploring improvements to walking and cycle connections, public transport accessibility and the wider public realm can so that they’re safe, inclusive and sustainable.
Eccles is close to the motorway network, has a train station, and is served by the Metrolink, making it a great opportunity for transport infrastructure-led regeneration.
Sam Denby, director of transport planning at Rappor, said:
“The transport strategy must support the delivery of new homes and create a more accessible, attractive and connected town centre for existing residents, businesses and visitors.
“Our team is looking forward to collaborating with the wider design team to ensure that transport and movement considerations are embedded within the emerging proposals from the outset, helping to shape a deliverable masterplan that balances future growth with the needs of the existing community.”
For Muse, the focus now shifts to technical details and feasibility work. This will pave the way for individual planning applications that bring the overall masterplan vision to life through individual development projects.
In the meantime, early events and pop-up uses will help bring immediate life and vitality back into Eccles town centre while those longer-term plans take shape over time.
The Eccles project team includes Deloitte, Jon Matthews Architects, Planit, Turley and Identity Consult.
Image courtesy of Muse
