NWDA grant to revitalise Manchester waterway

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A revamped waterway and a new bridge are to form part of a £4.4m boost to the New Islington area of Manchester.

Boaters will be able to moor in the area for the first time and a bridge and new paths and canal walkways will connect it to the neighbouring areas of Ancoats and Manchester city centre.

Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) is hoping that the revamp will help attract more than £250m of investment to allow the broader development of New Islington.

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of NWDA, said: ‘New Islington is a major regeneration scheme but was at risk of delay due to current market conditions. Our aim is to bring new life, activity and revenue into the area.’

The wider New Islington project will include a new primary school, health centre, shops and almost 1,500 new homes. Three residential developments have been completed including an Urban Splash development called Chips. Partners in the project include urban regeneration company New East Manchester (NEM) and the Homes and Communities Agency.

The new investment from NWDA will include start up costs for the canal marina, a new major footbridge and canal connections.

Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2010.