A canal society is campaigning to stop a new development hiding the heritage of Salford’s forgotten canal, memorialised in the song Dirty Old Town.
Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society (MBBCS) is campaigning against plans to build 204 apartments that would see an ‘incredible piece of civil engineering’ in Salford buried and ensure that any prospect of the canal being restored are frustrated.
The plans would see the remaining canal towpath buired under vegetation alongside a new apartment block, while a new walkway would be built on the site of the old canal.
In his song ‘Dirty Old Town’, Ewen MacColl sings about the waterway, with one lyric stating ‘[I] Dreamed a dream by the old canal’.
Developer H2O Urban, a partnership between the Canal and River Trust, which owns the land, and property development bloc3, proposes to build the new block of apartments along Upper Wharf Street and Oldfield Road.
MBBCS says the development would hinder any full restoration of the canal in the future.
Al Franco, a trustee of MBSCC and a Salford resident, said: “It’s effectively putting a tombstone on the canal.
“This location was well known to Engels, LS Lowry and Ewan MacColl (who “dreamed a dream by the old canal”) and the towpath is one of the last surviving artefacts, in this location, of Salford’s industrial
heritage.
“It was built in 1797, so it’s a real classic piece of civil engineering infrastructure and given the tools they had at the time, before railways, before steam-powered cranes and the like were really in much use, it’s effectively built by hand. It’s quite an incredible piece of civil engineering.
“We’re pressing the developer to just change that part of the plan. It’s fairly simple and straightforward, but it takes a significant step towards restoration. And in the absence of restoration, it still provides people with the ability to walk a Georgian road.”
The towpath is believed to still be intact today, beneath a layer of concrete or tarmac. However, the developer’s choice to ignore the towpath directly contradicts a policy made by Salford Council in their 2023 Local Plan.
The policy states: “Development alongside the line of the canal shall facilitate its restoration or, where this is not practicable, provide open space incorporating walking and cycling routes and heritage interpretation features along its line so that the potential for future restoration is retained and people can appreciate the history of the canal.
“…Development that would prevent or significantly hinder the future restoration of the canal or its towpath will not be permitted.”
The campaigners say that a restoration of the towpath under the developer’s financial envelope is practicable.
However, the construction of the proposed footpath will impose a significant extra cost burden if the canal is ever to be restored. This is because this footpath would need to be removed and relocated for full restoration of the canal.
In the landscaping plans for the site, the developers have shown they will place an information board along the footpath that highlights the important context of the canal.
Salford’s forgotten canal dates back to the 18th century. First opened in 1797, it played a vital role in Salford and Manchester’s early industrial development.
The society is aware that returning the canal to water is not practicable at this time. However, members say a restoration of the towpath would strengthen the case for a full restoration of the canal in the future.
The group has scored notable successes in the past, such as restoring a length of the canal at Middlewood in Salford, including construction of a new deep lock allowing access from the River Irwell.
Salford MP Rebecca Long Bailey said “I share my constituent’s concerns and so have written to Richard Thomas, the Chief Executive of H2O Urban, to ask him to review their plans. This looks like a wonderful opportunity to bring an important part of Salford’s heritage back to life”.
Nick Legget, Development Director at Urban H2O, addressed the concerns about the canal: “H20 have worked diligently with the Canal & River Trust to review the restoration proposals, including extensive engagement with the MBBCS. Unfortunately, the cost for restoration at this time makes it prohibitive, as the scheme viability cannot absorb any additional cost, nor do the Trust have available funds.
“However, the proposed linear park has been designed and considered in a sympathetic manner to permit a restoration in the future (which is supported), should sufficient funding be available.”
He reassured that the scheme has been designed with a future restoration in mind.
“The scheme has been designed to permit any future restoration when possible, including features such as a double storey cantilever to one of the blocks to facilitate the craning of any future canal locks etc.
“Until the restoration is possible, the proposed linear park will create a hugely positive social and environmental impact to the locality, which will also inform the public of the former canal via the design and information boards.”
MBBCS are urging Salford residents to back their campaign, by commenting their concerns on the active planning application and writing to their local councillors and MP.
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