A 300-year-old riverside footpath in Salford could remain open, with a campaign to save it now set to force a public inquiry. Salford City Council initially agreed that developers could close the pedestrian route by the River Irwell, diverting walkers through a back and a hotel lobby.
But protesters objected saying the public's fundamental right to walk along the river might be taken away. The path runs along Salford's border with Manchester and is where the coming Ralli Quays development will see government office buildings replaced by a 16-storey hotel with 260 beds.
Plans were approved in January when councillors accepted the argument from the developer Legal & General that it was not viable to maintain the 207-metre footpath in Blackfriars. That prompted a wave of protest with more than 120 people objecting to the proposals.
University lecturer Dr Morag Rose, who has led the campaign, said: "We believe the right to walk along the Irwell is a fundamental right and we assert the value of public space. It should not be sacrificed for private gain."
Now, in a letter to residents, Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: "My default position is and always will be to protect public rights of way wherever possible. Following the planning committee's decision and briefings with officers, I have requested that plans be urgently reviewed with developers to ensure that if there are any alternatives to stopping the route, they are being fully explored.
"This could include renegotiating the terms of the development with a view to protecting this section of the public right of way at the waterfront. If there is a feasible option to retain public access, we will find it and work with partners and stakeholders to develop an alternative to the current proposals."
Responding to Mr Dennett, Dr Rose told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "This is very positive. I welcome Mr Dennett's comments and I am encouraged by it. We are happy to engage with him and other councillors over a possible way forward.
"We realise now that there is quite a long-term plan to maintain public access to the riverside."
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