Manchester and Salford are to get a taste of Venice from next summer as plans for a water taxi service along the River Irwell get the go-ahead. The proposed plans for a regular boat service, which will run from Chapel Wharf outside The Lowry Hotel to Media City, have been confirmed by local planners and authorities and will breath new life into what was once dubbed ‘the hardest working river in the world’. Manchester Confidential reports that plans to construct a series of pontoons at sites including Ordsall, Old Trafford and Imperial War Museum North will provide an exciting, and hopefully cheaper, alternative to existing transport as well as creating an opportunity to experience the waterway in true continental style. Journey times between the city and the Quays are expected to be around 20 minutes, with the service expected to be operating by June 2013.

Photo: tj.blackwell

Words:
James Wise
Published on:
Wed 7 Nov 2012