Completion of Chapel Street and New Bailey Gateway works ahead of schedule

Salford City Council is delighted to announce the early completion of the strategic Chapel Street East (Phase 1) and New Bailey Gateway (Phase 2) scheme – a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of Salford city centre.

The works, which began in April 2025 and were originally scheduled to finish in early 2026, will now be completed on 1 December 2025, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the contractor AE Yates, project partners and the support of the local community. 

This achievement means the one-way closure that has been in place throughout the project will be lifted ahead of schedule, restoring full traffic capacity just in time for the busy Christmas period.

Chapel Street East occupies a prominent position within Salford city centre and serves as a key gateway to Manchester city centre. The area is undergoing a period of significant regeneration, establishing itself as an attractive and dynamic place to live and work. The vision for this neighbourhood is to create an accessible and integrated space that connects New Bailey with Greengate and links surrounding communities such as Trinity and Irwell Riverside to the heart of the city.

The scheme forms part of Salford’s long-term plan to deliver high-quality, safer pedestrian and cycling routes across the city centre. Public realm improvements include the introduction of rain gardens, planting beds, and new trees, alongside upgraded surfaces and street furniture to create a welcoming and vibrant environment for all.

Using a ‘Streets for All’ design approach, the project rebalances space in favour of pedestrians and cyclists while accommodating buses and general traffic. Features include continuous cycle tracks and footways, new greenery, and sustainable urban drainage systems – all designed to make the area safer, greener, and more enjoyable.

Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Salford. Completing the works ahead of schedule means we can reopen the road before Christmas, easing travel for residents, businesses and visitors during one of the busiest times of the year. These improvements will make a real difference to how people experience the city centre – creating safer, greener, and more connected spaces for everyone.”