Salford Quays and Manchester city centre could soon be connected by a 'new and improved' bus service. The X50, currently operating between Manchester and the Trafford Centre, is proposed to be rerouted to include stops on Ordsall Lane and a loop into Salford Quays.
This initiative comes from Salford City Council in collaboration with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), aiming to enhance public transport links in response to the area's increasing population and upcoming residential projects like the Salford Soapworks redevelopment. To address the "long standing issue" of insufficient bus routes, the council has committed £2m, sourced from developer agreements, to kick-start the extended service.
These funds will also support promotional efforts to attract passengers, road upgrades, and other infrastructure improvements. A town hall report described the bus route as a 'financially sustainable option that provides additional connectivity to the wider network and key employment and leisure destinations such as the Trafford Centre and Trafford Park.
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' Council leaders are optimistic about launching the service by mid-2025, with plans to review it after two years. At a meeting on November 11 at Salford Civic Centre, it was confirmed that part of the £2m investment might be allocated to enhancing double yellow lines on Ordsall Lane among other infrastructure enhancements.
Salford's Deputy Mayor, Jack Youd, has expressed his support for a newly introduced service in the region, highlighting its potential to enhance local living standards. He remarked: "This is a positive way to improve people's lives and help them get to Manchester for work or leisure.", reports .
Meanwhile, Salford Quays dweller, John-Paul Atley has received the news with positivity but not without raising concerns over existing parking issues on Ordsall Lane, noting, "For all intents and purposes it's a one lane road to begin with because of parking," and added the difficulty caused by the absence of double yellow lines in parts of the road.
Furthermore, local councillor Jake Rowland praised the initiative as "brilliant" for the neighbourhood, underscoring the commitment to facilitating residents' mobility throughout Greater Manchester. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Salford council have been approached for comment.
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