Plans for demolition of Ralli Quays upsets residents who say it blocks access to River Irwell

Salford residents are angry about a proposed new office and hotel development they say will block access to the River Irwell.

Building work will involve demolition of the existing Ralli Quays site near to Spinningfields.

Campaign group Loiterers Resistance Movement (LRM) say the plan by LGIM to erect a 12-storey office building 16-storey hotel will leave pedestrians cut off from the Irwell by blocking a popular pathway.

LGIM are the management arm of Legal and General, a leading UK financial services company.

LRM activist Dr Morag Rose is leading the residents’ campaign to save the right of way. 

In a letter drafted to Salford City Council they state: “We are fighting to save the public right of way along the Salford side of River Irwell at Ralli Quays.

“Access is threatened by the development of new offices and a hotel which will effectively enclose and privatise the path and the alternative route provided is a permissive path through the Ralli Quays development.”

Dr Rose said the LRM uses walking as a political and creative act and a way to understand the city.

She told Northern Quota: “It’s important having public access if people want to use it, public spaces are part of our rights as citizens.

“The Irwell is such an important part of Manchester and Salford’s history.”  

She said it was important for residents to have acess to such as places such as the Irwell for their mental and physical wellbeing.

“Walking is such a huge part of our wellbeing and mental health, we should be able to use them and it is wrong to lose that for private gain,” Dr Rose said.

“We need to balance the importance of history with housing needs, many developments don’t consider equality between these two.

“Heritage is often never considered. However, I absolutely don’t oppose all kinds of new building – Manchester is a complex place with many competing needs”.

The planning applicaton will be heard by Salford councillors and Dr Rose says the voice of residents had been heard loud and clear.

“I feel extremely confident we can win this. It stands a good chance. I hope it becomes a catalyst for change,” she said.

Both Salford council and LGIM declined to comment on the application.