Ashton Canal Corridor
The Ashton Canal Corridor begins in Ancoats, starting at Great Ancoats Street it encompasses both sides of the Ashton Canal as far east as Alan Turing Way.
After a £24million improvement programme, the Ashton Canal has been transformed into a clean and safe route from the city centre through to Sportcity, continuing up to Ashton. The revived tow path offers a great place to walk, jog or cycle and its many miles of clear access provide a fantastic opportunity for fishing.
With several new waterside developments well underway, including Islington Wharf, Albion Mills, City Lofts and Holt Town, the Ashton Canal Corridor is set to become a family friendly extension to the city centre.
Leisure
Residents of the Ashton Canal Corridor benefit from all of the world-class facilities at Sportcity including the National Squash Centre, Regional Tennis Centre, National Cycling Centre, indoor and outdoor running track, state-of-the-art fitness suite and the English Institute of Sport. All of these facilities can be used by the local community, as well as being used by some of the country’s top athletes.
Close by is the New Islington Eco Park. Due to open to the public in 2008, this contemporary space will become a haven for wildlife and residents alike. With a boating lake, reed beds and its own beach, the park will be a sanctuary for local residents.
Education and Learning
Corpus Christi with St Anne’s RC Primary School lies at the heart of the Ashton Canal Corridor and teaches 100 pupils aged 3-11 spread throughout four classrooms. In December 2006 St Anne’s was announced as the most improved school in the country, making a 173% improvement in English, mathematics, and science over the past three years.
Residents can also access a number of schools from the surrounding neighbourhoods including two primary schools in Beswick – Ashbury Meadow and St Brigid's RC – as well as Ravensbury Primary School in Clayton.
Residents of the Ashton Canal Corridor are also perfectly situated for access to the brand new high school scheduled to open in Beswick in 2010.
Corpus Christi with St Anne RC Primary School
Carruthers Street, Ancoats M4 7EQ
Telephone: 0161 273 2417
St Brigid's RC Primary School
Grey Mare Lane, Beswick M11 3DR
Telephone: 0161 223 5538
Ashbury Meadow School
Charlesworth Street, Beswick m11 3RE
Telephone: 0161 223 1271
Ravensbury Primary School
Ravensbury Street, Clayton M11 4GQ
Telephone: 0161 223 0370
Community
Residents from the Ashton Canal Corridor can access all of the services available at the Ardwick Youth Centre in Ancoats including sports, community events and learning opportunities.
The New Islington Festival takes place each year and is a celebration of residents old and new. Usually on the first Saturday of September, this free festival grows each year in size and offers a mix of family entertainment and music.
Ardwick Youth Club
100 Palmerston Street, Ancoats, Manchester M12 6PE
Telephone: 061 276 9657
Health
Residents from the Ashton Canal corridor will have immediate access to the new £6.5m state-of-the-art health centre in Ancoats that will provide a number of services including minor injuries, family planning, podiatry, mental health services, and a pharmacy. The 24,500 sq ft facility is expected to be completed in October 2007. In addition there are two existing surgeries in Ancoats.
Dr O’Shea
46 Radium Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AY
Telephone: 0161 236 6633
Dr SZ Ahmad
126 Bollington Road, Ancoats M40 7HD
Telephone: 0161 681 1353
Evolution of Ashton Canal Corridor
Prior to the 2002 Commonwealth Games the Ashton Canal Corridor was predominantly made up of industrial areas and scrap yards. In preparation for the games £24m was invested in improving the walkway adjacent to the canal to create an accessible and safe main route from the city centre to Sportcity.
In early 2007 Cibitas announced that they would be responsible for transforming the 38 hectare site of Holt Town over the next 15 years, into a residential urban quarter along with space for businesses, shops, restaurants and bars.
Population
The current population for the Ashton Canal Corridor is just over 1,000 people, however this number is set to soar over the next few years as residents move into the many new developments and the currently industrial area of Holt Town is transformed into a new urban village, attracting a large number of new residents.
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