Fury as Salford Ship Canal path blocked for over two years

Furious cyclists and runners are calling on Salford City Council for action as popular Salford Ship Canal path has been blocked for over two years.

Following flooding in 2015, a section of the Salford Ship Canal path has been blocked off for repair.

The section of Salford ship canal path that is blocked off.

Salford City Council have said they are pursuing the company responsible for repairing the restricted area, Peel Ports Group.

Angered local resident, Julian Fox, has been heading the social media campaign to try and force Salford City Council and Peel Ports into repairing the walkway, which forms part of the Salford Trail.

Julian said: “The path has been blocked since the towpath was undermined in the floods of December 2015 – so people have been waiting for something to be done for more than two years.”

“It has a lot of use by runners, walkers, and cyclists. It’s also part of the Salford Trail which is a much publicised route following the ship canal through historical parts of Salford.”

“The Salford Mayor has himself taken an interest and promised to bring pressure to bear – so far to no avail. I understand that the Council is waiting for Peel to do something so suspect the problem is with Peel but don’t know that for sure.”

Listen to Julian’s full interview with Quays News:

Peel Ports Group revitalised the Manchester and Salford Ship Canal, winning various awards for their work in 2015.

They are responsible for the maintenance of the ship canal path. They plan on developing the area alongside the canal over the next 5-10 years.

The canal path is part of the Salford Trail which is a popular route for cyclists and runners, circling around the City of Salford.

Not only has this blockage spoiled the route, but it has also forced those who commute between Salford and Manchester to find alternative routes, many of which are unsafe.

Ordsall Lane is *horrible* to cycle down, so many close passes (I reckon 6 today at least) and the layout of the oldfield road junction is dangerous.

— Jade Hanley (@kissmyart) January 31, 2018

Salford Mayor Paul Dennett has taken a keen interest in the issue on Twitter and Salford City Council have also recently updated the situation:

Hi Julian, I have raised this issue a number of times now with officers of the City Council, this really is frustrating and unacceptable in my opinion. I’ve chased again on this today. I’ll request someone updates you from the City Council perspective ASAP.

— SalfordMayor (@salford_mayor) November 4, 2017

Hi Julian, Sorry for the delay getting back to you. We have spoken with the team and they have advised they are actively pursuing Peel to undertake the works necessary and maintenance. Thanks Renee

— Salford City Council (@SalfordCouncil) February 1, 2018

However, still there has been no movement in regards to the repair of the Salford Ship Canal path and removal of the fencing.

Salford recently won a national award for the transformation of old disused railway lines into cycling and walking routes. But Julian says: “That’s excellent news but the sad thing is that the excitement around these new routes means that sometimes existing routes don’t set the same level of attention.”

“In this case, the Salford Ship Canal route has fallen into dis-repair and neglect.”