Salford regeneration scheme wins national award

A restoration scheme at one of Salford’s historic sites has been awarded a British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Landscape Award for regeneration.

Rochdale-based contractors Casey received the award for the 14-month transformation that they carried out on behalf of the Council at the Worsley Delph historical site.

Work to make the site more visitor friendly was carried out as part of a £5.5m regeneration of the Salford stretch of the Bridgewater Canal, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Salford City Council, Bridgewater Canal Company and other partners.

The awards celebrate the top landscaping schemes in the country, and the Worsley Delph scheme has now been put forward for a Principal Award in regeneration.

Cllr Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable neighbourhoods at Salford Council, said: ‘This is a huge honour and achievement for everyone involved in the project and they should all be very proud. The Delph was a gateway to a network of coal mines and the challenges of draining the mines and getting coal to fast growing markets prompted The Duke of Bridgewater to create England’s first true canal.

‘Our project has cleared damaging vegetation, desilted the canal basin and improved access to and views of the site. We have also installed new information boards and artworks which tell the history of this unique location including a replica mine cart full of coal and a copy of the original Act of Parliament from 1759 that set the canal system in motion.’

The project also uncovered new historic finds, including mining boats, previously unrecorded tunnels and quays and a metal winch which would have unloaded goods delivered to the village.

Graham Lang, head of construction at Casey, said: ‘We are very proud to have received one of the highest accolades our industry can bestow. Being one of only two projects nationally to win such an award is a huge tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the entire team.

‘The project was complex with significant constraints to manage such as working adjacent to historic mines, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and several listed buildings and structures. Management of these constraints, including significant unforeseen circumstances by the delivery team has resulted in a successful restoration project which has added value to the local community.’

In related news, the public will soon be able to return to the Museum of Oxford, following a £2.8m refurbishment which tripled the size of the museum space.

Photo supplied by Salford Council