Campaigners defended public access to the river over private gain of developers
There will be a public inquiry into the closure of a 300-year-old riverside footpath in Salford to make way for a hotel, after campaigners argued that public access to the river “should not be sacrificed for private gain”.
When the Guardian highlighted the case last week, the Department for Transport (DfT) was bombarded with objections to the closure of the public right of way by the River Irwell.
The DfT announced on Thursday that “in light of the outstanding objections” the transport secretary would hold a public inquiry into the matter.
There is no date set for the inquiry, which should take one to two days.
Campaigners were unhappy after councillors in Salford granted planning permission to close the 300-year-old footpath, with pedestrians being diverted through a back street or through the hotel lobby.
The development, known as Ralli Quays, will see government office buildings demolished to make way for an office complex and a 16-storey, 260-bed hotel.
Two years ago the council applied to court for a draft “stopping up order” that would shut the path permanently, but the order was never rubber-stamped by the DfT.
Footpaths can only be permanently closed by the secretary of state for transport, under section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act.
Public inquiries are held when those applying for a stopping up order – Salford council in this case – cannot resolve objections to the closure.
To grant the stopping up order, the transport secretary must be satisfied that the closure is necessary to implement the proposed development in accordance with the planning permission. It must also pass a “merits” test, which considers where the public interest lies and asks whether the advantages to be conferred would outweigh any disadvantages or losses likely to arise to the public as a result.
Dr Morag Rose, who is leading the #OurIrwell campaign to save the footpath, welcomed the inquiry.
“We hope the developers will change their plans and preserve the public right of way, but if they persist with enclosure we will fight on. As a matter of principle we do not believe public land should be lost to private profit. Diverting the towpath through a building is shameful,” she said.
“The River Irwell is an important part of Salford and Manchester’s industrial heritage and is cherished by many. The right to roam is of fundamental importance and urban wanderers deserve access to our rivers.”