Planning Case Study 107
Ordsall Chord, River Irwell, Manchester and Salford
Planning scenario(s)
Heritage assets affected
Listed structures (Grade I) Non-designated heritage assets with archaeological, historic, and architectural interest.
Type of application & broad category
Local planning authority
Authority: Manchester City Council, and Salford City Council
References: The Network Rail (Ordsall Chord) Order: Parliamentary Order for a new railway bridge, and an EIA.
Development proposal
A new direct rail link between the three main stations in Manchester (Victoria, Oxford Road, and Piccadilly). The link achieved by the construction of a new rail chord, some 340m in length. The chord would cross the River Irwell on a new bridge and span the Trinity Way dual carriageway on a new viaduct.
Archaeological information known about the site before the planning application was made, or before the development commenced, as appropriate
The new rail bridge across the River Irwell is in a very sensitive heritage location. It runs between the Grade I Stephenson’s rail bridge and the Grade I Warehouse and Arrival Station of 1830.
Archaeological/planning processes
A planning inquiry was held in 2014, during which Historic England opposed the location of the bridge.
The Inspector ruled in favour of the route in 2015, concluding that public benefit for the new rail route connecting Piccadilly to Victoria rail stations outweighed the damage to the railway heritage. A number of conditions were included in the permission.
These conditions were implemented by the LPA’s archaeological advisors in conjunction with Historic England and conservation specialists.
Outcomes: archaeological
An extensive programme of archaeological recording of the built heritage (including 3 listed bridges to be removed) and below-ground remains was secured by planning conditions in the permission given following the inquiry.
In addition, provision has been made through conditions for technical reports, a published article and a conservation architect-led restoration of the 1830 Stephenson railway bridge.
Other outcomes/outputs e.g. other public benefit such as public engagement, research and new/changed work practices
The archaeological advisors to the LPAs have worked closely with the Conservation Architect on the public benefit and archaeological recording programme which they had advised was necessary.
Part of the public benefit is to consolidate and display Stephenson’s Bridge and to present the heritage of the site with information panels, plaques, and publications. A popular publication in the Greater Manchester’s Past Revealed series will also be produced. A journal article has recently been completed (see below). On site information panels have been provided with images of public realm heritage.
Technical reports on below-ground archaeology and built heritage are still awaited (being prepared by Salford Archaeology).
References and links/bibliography
- Wild, C 2018, Tracks Across the Irwell: From the Liverpool & Manchester Railway to the Ordsall Chord, Industrial Archaeology Review, 40:2, 74-87.
