Work has started on a bridge for pedestrians and cyclist that aims to connect Airport City to nearby transport links.
The £6m bridge is set to span 52.5 metres over the M56 spur airport approach road, which will also provide wider connections for pedestrians and cyclists between Wythenshawe and the airport station.
Construction is set to take nine months, with the aim for it to be completed in August 2020.
Jonathan Haigh, managing director of MAG Property and Airport City JV partner, said the bridge will become a “catalyst for the delivery of the new £180m hotel district, The Hut Group campus and approved speculative offices; delivering the Airport City Manchester vision, unlocking the potential for development and job creation across the entirety of the 73-acre site.”
The Hut Group announced in June it had agreed a deal to develop 1m sq ft of office space and studio space in the North West, including the new THQ business campus at Airport City.
Planning permission for two new 92,000 sq ft office building and multi-story car park has , while a £180m ‘hotel district’ at Airport City will see at the site.
Mike Kane, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, added: “This is also a huge step forward in opening up new jobs and opportunities and building the economic and regenerative potential of this site for Wythenshawe and beyond."
He continued: “Currently, the two existing routes from the Ground Transport Interchange to Wythenshawe involve crossing points across high speed and heavy volume dual carriageway roads.
“This new pedestrian-dedicated route will ensure much better access to the excellent and wide-reaching coach, bus, Metrolink and train services that are currently on the doorstep for residents and businesses in Wythenshawe.”
Work being undertaken on the bridge comes after the completion of £15m Enterprise Way, which connects the Airport City site to the wider transport network.
