Reference AA/9/C UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED (ECCLES

Reference AA/9/C

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED (ECCLES WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS) COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER 2016

APPENDICES TO PROOF OF EVIDENCE OF TIMOTHY JOHN SPENCER BA (HONS)

ON BEHALF OF THE ACQUIRING AUTHORITY IN RELATION TO IMPACTS ON THE OPERATION OF THE CITY OF SALFORD COMMUNITY STADIUM

MAY 2018

Page 1

Appendix A – Short CV

Page 2

Apendix B – Photographic Database.

Page 3

Appendix B – Photograph Database

Photograph 1 – The Marquee. The Access Road would connect between white bollards.

Photograph 2 – Area to the north of the Marquee – could move north. Photo also shows the footway linking the two pitches and the South Stand changing area.

Page 4

Photograph 3 – Route across the drainage area from north.

Photograph 4 – Access Road/Walkway at southern corner - nearest point to the tunnel.

Page 5

Photograph 5 – Rear elevation of the East Stand.

Photograph 6 – Rear elevation of the North Stand

Page 6

Photograph 7 – Pedestrian Right of Way at eastern corner of the stadium looking east.

Photograph 8 – Gravel car parking north of the North Stand

Page 7

Photograph 9 – Gravel car parking north of the North Stand

Photograph 10 – Temporary parking north east of the North Stand

Page 8

Photograph 11 – Stadium viewed from the east showing dominant West Stand.

Photograph 12 – View of south corner taken from a point close to tunnel route.

Page 9

Photograph 13 – Looking north across the drainage area along line of the access route.

Photograph 14 – South west corner of the Astroturf pitch – Array sensor location.

Page 10

Photograph 15 – Barton Locks from the west

Photograph 16 – Tunnel outfall location point.

Page 11

Photograph 17 – Western Access Road to Barton Locks

Photograph 18 – New drainage outfall from the warehouse development into the Canal south of Barton Locks.

Page 12

Photograph 19 – View of access road route across the drainage area.

Photograph 20 – Large vehicle turning area with ‘painted’ roundabout

Page 13

Photograph 21 – Gravel car parking to the west of Stadium Way

Photograph 22 – main outfall point to the Brook.

Page 14

Photograph 23 – Stadium Way signal controlled junction with WGIS

Photograph 24 – WGIS looking east from the Stadium Way junction

Page 15

Photograph 25 – Extract from the video showing post match traffic management.

Photograph 26 – Shaft 3 within the Eccles Wastewater Treatment plant.

Page 16

Photograph 27 – Work site area within the Eccles Wastewater Treatment plant

Photograph 28 – Ship loading at Irlam Wharf.

Page 17

Appendix C – SCC Reports which provide a summary of the day-to-day stadium uses and recent annual statistics about visitor rates on non-major event days.

Page 18 City of Salford Community Stadium Limited (A J Bell Stadium)

Report to Council from the Deputy City Mayor, Paula Boshell & Cllr David Lancaster

2016/2017

City of Salford Community Stadium Limited (A J Bell Stadium)

Page 19 1. Background The A J Bell Stadium has been open for business since late 2011and remains a significant part of the overall regeneration and development of the 17 hectares of land known as ‘Salford Gateway’ adjacent to the Manchester Ship Canal and A57 Liverpool Road. Alongside the WGIS road scheme and Port Salford, the area, its connectivity and overall development is moving forward with the first sale of land to Greene King having taken place and two more plots in the process of finalising legal processes with further discussions on plots continuing.

Following the well publicised problems with the bridge we are informed that the WGIS road will be open in the autumn/winter of 2017 including the bridge across the Manchester Ship Canal providing a vital link to the Trafford Centre and Chill Factor. Port Salford is in development and the Culina warehouse is in operation. It will, along with other developments at the Stadium site, provide several thousand new jobs in the area.

The A J Bell Stadium comprises:

 A total of almost 2,000m2 of meeting and hospitality space.  A 700 capacity suite capable of coping with events as diverse as major  corporate uses, exhibitions and private and community meetings.  13 syndicate rooms which can be used as hospitality boxes on match days, overlooking the main pitch.  A commercial gym.  Home to the Salford Red Devils Rugby League Super League Club and Sale Sharks Rugby Union Aviva Premiership club.  A Foundation charity related to the Salford Red Devils Super League Club.  A financial services company  A fleet hire company As well as the main Stadium pitch, there are two other facilities; a 3G all weather floodlit sports surface with high usage from professional and amateur teams from a wide range of sports and a floodlit outdoor grass pitch which has accreditation from the RFU and FA, with availability for rugby, football and other team sports.

The significant growth in the non-sporting business and in particular, conferences and events, has helped drive forward the Stadium’s business plan. Taken together with the sale of the development land and the income from the naming rights, the operation of the Stadium has moved according to its financial plan towards sustainability.

The Stadium is also very much part of the wider and significant leisure offer that the City of Salford provides to its people, businesses and communities and is therefore seen as a valuable asset in that context.

Page 20 2. Stadium facts and offer

2.1. Sporting The Stadium has a capacity of just under 11,500 spectators accommodated in 4 stands with the opportunity to increase the capacity to approximately 20,000 in the future should the need arise. When the Stadium first opened, it was home to the Salford Red Devils, the Rugby League Super League team, now under the ownership of Dr Marwan Koukash. Within its first year, the Stadium also recruited Sale Sharks, the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union team as its second anchor tenant making it the home of top class rugby in the northwest. During the last year, approximately 55 first class fixtures have been held at the Stadium including 18 U20’s RFU World Cup games including the England v Ireland Final and the RFU U17’s Finals.

The Stadium has Yourgym as one of its key anchor tenants which is a commercial gym located within the Stadium’s west stand; it offers quality gym facilities at very competitive rates and has approximately 3000 members.

2.2. Non-sporting The Stadium event and conferencing business has continued to perform well both in the number and quality of events. It is a significant employer both in the local and regional area. The objectives of the Stadium Company remain to grow the non- match day income. To that end and in partnership with Elior, the Stadium’s catering partner we have significantly increased the non-matchday Conference and Events sales which are showing an increase in revenue of 36% compared to 15/16. In summer 2017 Elior will be looking to strengthen their onsite team with a senior role of Venue Sales Director to further drive new business to the Stadium. The income to the Stadium from catering commission has increased by 29% compared to 2015/16. The on site team have won the Elior Star Site for 2016, with approximately 400 sites internationally this was a significant achievement.

The Stadium Operation’s Team numbers 20 including casual staff. The vast majority of these live in the local area. The Stadium has significant conferencing, banqueting and event facilities located in the main west stand. A range of events can be accommodated ranging from 1 person through to 700 on the second and third floors.

In addition, there is the Fans Bar on the ground floor that can accommodate up to 250 people and we are currently planning to develop a Fans Village offering even more facilities and opportunities for visitors. This makes it one of the premier and largest event venues in the northwest. The Stadium benefits from its unique accessible location and car parking for up to 600 cars. Over the last year the sales team has forged close links with Marketing Manchester to allow for greater access and support for bringing corporate events to the Stadium.

The Stadium’s catering and events contractor is part of the Elior Group. It employs a core conferencing and banqueting team of 15 on site with a further 200 casuals brought in as events dictate and a business development team of three to drive forward future business. The vast majority of these staff live in Salford and its

Page 21 immediate environs.

Business has continued to grow and in the last year there were over 400 different events involving around 35,000 delegates. There have been blue chipcompanies such as the Cooperative, the Automobile Association and Edward Mellor Auctions that have held major events at the Stadium. In addition, there have been many different conferences, birthday parties, school proms, funeral wakes, weddings, awards dinners, Christmas events and those held for charity. Indeed approximately 55% of the last year’s business has come from within a 10 mile radius of the Stadium demonstrating its local focus and popularity, with a revenue contribution of 35%.

There have been 49,790 visitors to the Stadium for conference and events of which there have been 698 in total, key companies using the Stadium include:  Royal College of Physicians (examinations)  Salford City Council  Salford Professional Development  Auction Houses including Pugh Auctions and Edward Mellor  NHS  Balfour Beatty  The Cooperative  RRG  United Utilities

Business mix percentage breakdown

The Stadium has been used for several filming events involving blue chip sports companies and top flight international sports stars, including Adidas advertising involving Paul Pogba.

To deliver these events requires a significant supply chain, much of which is locally

Page 22 sourced. Significant six figure expenditure is spent each year with businesses, many of which are SMEs which helps drive forward the local and regional economy.

The Stadium continues with ambitious plans to hold concerts at the Stadium in 2018 and new events such as comedy nights, boxing matches and a drive-in cinema to further complement and expand its business plan.

The Stadium has been commended for its accessibility by the RFU Auditors with registration on the site DisabledGo, it is recognised as Autism Friendly and staff have undergone Dementia Awareness training.

In addition the Stadium is actively seeking new tenants for the available office space and has secured two new tenants in 2016/17, Real Financial Services and Letstalkfleet Ltd.

3. Community The Stadium was constructed with the local community in mind. It provides a valuable local asset and employer for the local area. It hosts the ‘Friends of A J Bell Stadium’ group which remains well attended by local residents, tenants, the two clubs and representatives from fans groups and the Stadium team and its partners.

The Salford Red Devils Foundation is based at the Stadium. They are the community arm of the Club and undertake significant community based work throughout the City of Salford and the region as a whole. They use the sport of rugby league as a vehicle for delivering important programmes relating to public health and skills and work such as smoking cessation, tackling obesity and bringing people into employment. In 2017 they are delivering a significant Men’s Mental Health Programme supported by the Stadium. Similarly, Sale Sharks utilise the Stadium’s facilities for a variety of school based educational sessions which expands both their and the Stadium’s reach into local communities.

The Stadium also has the two secondary pitches at its disposal which it utilises both commercially and for community and charity use. These are used by both the Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks on match days to hold mini rugby festivals involving local and regional schools and discounted rates are given to charities for their event use. Over the course of a year, approximately 2,000 children are involved in prematch events at the Stadium, not to mention the many thousands more involved in community events, soccer leagues and charity runs held at the venue. Approximately 400 individual bookings are made each year for the community pitches and this level is rising. These include local sports clubs and individuals / groups just wishing to play sports with friends and work colleagues.

4. Development Land The Stadium is surrounded by prime development land which belongs to the Stadium Company. It totals just over 17 hectares and makes it one of the prime development sites in Salford. The first plot of land (1.3 acres) was been sold to Greene King for the development of a pub/restaurant called the Barley Farm. The

Page 23 new pub has generated approximately 90 jobs. Two further plots are in the process of finalising legal process.

Port Salford is under construction further down the A57 which will generate 3,000 job opportunities and economic growth for the region. As part of this construction, the A57 road immediately adjacent to and feeding the Stadium is being modified under the Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme. This has seen a new road layout and approach to the Stadium which will open in the autumn/winter of 2017 and will extend over the Manchester Ship Canal to the Trafford Centre complex. The Culina distribution company is now operating, forming the first tranche of the Port Salford development.

The Stadium has a two year plan to identify end users for the various development sites at the Stadium. Potential users will include budget retailers, fast food outlets, petrol filling stations, car showrooms and large ‘shed’ style retailers. Other uses may also include a hotel.

The breadth of eventual users will provide for an exciting mix of uses at the site and provide for several thousand new jobs in the area.

5. Stadium Financing

The Council has made loans to the stadium totalling £25.776m to 31st March 2017. This comprised an original £22m of development and working capital loans in 2012/13, and ongoing working capital loans totalling £3.776m between 2012/13 and 2016/17. Peel Holdings has exactly matched the working capital loans with loans of its own. The development loans and the original working capital loan are repayable over a 25 year term, whilst other working capital loans from the Council and Peel Holdings are repayable by 2022. The Council lends to the stadium at a commercial rate of interest (5.16%) but is able to use its size and position to borrow the money for this purpose, on much more favourable terms. Over the past five years, this has brought an extra £1,300,000 (a conservative estimate) into the Council’s separate revenue account.

The stadium has made its scheduled repayments to the Council fully in accordance with the terms of the loans. The balance of the development loan - principal outstanding as at 31 March 2017 is £16.678m. This is typical for a loan arrangement of this kind. Like a home mortgage, the development loan will steadily reduce over time, with more of the principal paid off towards the end of the term and as the development land is sold.

6. Summary Future development will bring both major capital receipts for the Stadium Company and the City Council will also benefit from additional business rates and council tax payments.

Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Part 1 ITEM NO.

REPORT OF

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE and DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & CORPORATE BUSINESS

TO City Issues Briefing

16 AUGUST 2017

TITLE: City of Salford Community Stadium Ltd.

RECOMMENDATIONS: That the City Mayor:

1. Notes that the Stadium was constructed always with the local community in mind. It provides a valuable local asset and employer for the local area. It employs approximately 250 people and indirectly through its supply chain, a significant employer in the city. An estimated 5,000 more jobs will be created by the development at the site - benefiting the economy of Salford, both through increases in business rate income, introduction of new businesses and additional wages. The 2,000sqm of event and conference space at the AJ Bell Stadium is seeing growth in use on last year. The commercial and community use of the secondary grass and 3G pitches is increasing rapidly and is used by a wide variety of local clubs and groups.

2. In order to sustain this improvement in performance, approves the City Council’s provision of financial resources in the form of a repayable interest bearing loan of up to £632.5k to the City of Salford Community Stadium (COSCOS). This is to be on a 50:50 basis with Peel Holdings for the financial period to 31st March 2018 and the £632.5k being the Council’s 50% share.

Page 28 3. Delegate to the Monitoring Officer, the completion of all the necessary legal and ancillary documentation identified as necessary to give effect to recommendation 2 above.

4. The City Mayor should note that due to interest payments being received from COSCOS during 2017/18 the Council will not need to undertake additional borrowing to fund the loan payment.

5. The City Mayor should note that the funding request is £0.093m less than the projected cash flow requirement for 2017/18 calculated at this time last year.

EXECUTIVE REVIEW:

The City of Salford Community Stadium Ltd (otherwise known as the A J Bell Stadium) is a developing business. It first opened in December 2011. The Stadium was constructed under a joint venture partnership arrangement between Salford City Council and Peel Holdings. The Stadium was constructed initially as a new home for the Salford Red Devils but importantly also as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area.

Considerable success has also been achieved by the Stadium’s major sporting tenants, Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils playing in their respective top flight leagues and on the cusp of even greater endeavours. On the non-sporting side, the 2,000sqm of event and conference space is seeing growth in use and the Stadium has had a good year. Conference and event revenue achieved a 36.17% increase on 2015/16 with over 51,634 people using the facilities last year. The commercial and community use of the secondary grass and 3G pitches is increasing rapidly with the grass pitch now floodlit.

Business has grown since the Stadium opened. In the last year there were over 400 different events involving around 35,000 delegates. There have been blue chip companies such as the Cooperative, the Automobile Association and Edward Mellor Auctions that have held major events at the Stadium. In addition, there have been many different conferences, birthday parties, school proms, funeral wakes, weddings, awards dinners, Christmas events and those held for charity. Indeed approximately 55% of the last year’s business has come from within a 10 mile radius of the Stadium demonstrating its local focus and popularity, with a revenue contribution of 35%.

Page 29 The Stadium has been used for several filming events involving blue chip sports companies and top flight international sports stars, including Adidas advertising involving Paul Pogba.

To deliver these events requires a significant supply chain, much of which is locally sourced. Significant six figure expenditure is spent each year with businesses, many of which are SMEs which helps drive forward the local and regional economy.

The Stadium is ambitious and has tangible plans in place to hold concerts at the Stadium in 2018 and new events such as comedy nights, boxing matches and a drive-in cinema to further complement and expand its business plan.

In addition the Stadium is actively seeking new tenants for the available office space and has secured two new tenants in 2016/17, Real Financial Services and Letstalkfleet Ltd.

The Stadium Company owns 17 hectares of development land surrounding the A J Bell Stadium for which consents exist for a variety of purposes. The location of the Stadium is immediately adjacent to the Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme (WGIS), an important new road construction bypassing Peel Green and promoting better connectivity to the M60 via the A57 will open in Autumn 2017. The development of Port Salford, a major multi-modal development capitalising on the proximity to the Manchester Ship Canal, northwest motorway network and the Liverpool – Manchester railway, ideally positions the Stadium in the centre of this major regeneration area in the City. In addition, the Metrolink extension to Trafford Park has now been agreed and in time it is hoped that this will be further extended to Irlam and Cadishead via the Stadium.

The Stadium Board has agreed a development strategy for the land known as City Gateway which best markets the land around the Stadium. The land has outline planning permission further strengthening the marketability of the site and several parties are interested in acquisitions. The first tranche of land was sold to Greene King for the development of a pub restaurant which opened in September 2015. Further sales of development land are in the pipeline and will possibly include small supermarkets, fast food outlets, car dealerships, a hotel and petrol filling stations. Potential tenants are also interested in leasing space within the stadium enabling the stadium to maximise commercial space both inside and outside the facility. The first of these to a Finance Company was completed in late 2016.

Salford City Council is not alone in supporting stadium and their associated developments. Halton Borough Council is the owner of the Select Securities Stadium in Widnes, the home of Widnes Vikings Rugby League Club whilst Hull City Council is the

Page 30 owner of the KC Stadium, home of Hull City Football Club and Hull FC Rugby League Club.

The Stadium was constructed always with the local community in mind. It provides a valuable local asset and employer for the local area. It employs approximately 250 people and indirectly through its supply chain, a significant additional number in the region.

The Stadium also has the two secondary pitches at its disposal which it utilises both commercially and for community and charity use. These are used by both the Salford Red Devils and Sale Sharks on match days to hold mini rugby festivals involving local and regional schools and discounted rates are given to charities for their event use. Over the course of a year, approximately 2,500 children are involved in pre-match events at the Stadium, not to mention the many thousands more involved in community events, soccer leagues and charity runs held at the venue.

Approximately 400 individual bookings are made each year for the community pitches and this level is rising.

The opportunity for the future commercial and sporting development of the Stadium is significant and whilst continued support is required from the Stadium’s owners, new revenue streams are constantly being explored. These include comedy nights, concerts, darts tournaments and sportsman’s dinners. The Junior Rugby Union World Cup, including the final took place in June 2016.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the financial position of the Stadium Company. It is important to note that no capital receipts have been forecast in the operating budget for 2017/18 as any coming forward will be used to repay loans and interest liabilities that the stadium has. Ongoing financial support is necessary to enable the Stadium Company to fully discharge its liabilities during the current financial year. Without this additional support from both shareholders, the Stadium Company would default on the existing council loan with serious implications for the City Council’s investment and accounts.

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:

● The Shareholders’ Agreement and Funding Agreement relating to COSCOS – 2010

Page 31 KEY DECISION: Yes

DETAILS:

1. Funding COSCOS to 31 March 2018

1.1. Background

On 26 May 2010, Cabinet approved the council entering into the Shareholders and Loan agreements for Salford Community Stadium Ltd (COSCOS).

Under the terms of the Shareholders Agreement 2010, it was agreed that the funding for COSCOS would initially be limited to the Development Loan (supporting the building of the stadium) and a Working Capital Loan (supporting day to day cash flow requirements of COSCOS), provided by the council.

The Agreement also included a discretionary facility for the Shareholders to provide further working capital loans. The Shareholders have previously provided such loans to COSCOS.

In 2016/17 the Council provided a working capital loan exactly matched by Peel Holdings. Despite an expected break even position at a trading level, there is still the requirement for the Stadium to be supported financially by the Shareholders in 2017/18 in order to repay development and working capital loans and interest. This has also been against the background of a delay in the new road becoming operational which has affected revenue growth.

1.2. Key Assumptions in Future Funding Forecasts

In order to forecast the future cash requirements of COSCOS it has been necessary to make certain assumptions as follows:

● All outstanding capital repayments on the development loan are made in accordance with the existing mortgage.

● All interest charged on the Development Loan and the initial working capital loan is paid in the year due.

● Principal and interest repayments on all subsequent loans are repaid in accordance with the terms of the loan notes.

Page 32 ● Funds to finance the stadium company will be advanced on a 50/50 basis by the City council and Peel Holdings.

● Interest on the loan will be payable at a market rate to be agreed therefore rendering the loan State Aid neutral. The interest has been ignored for cash flow forecast purposes, as interest on new loans is expected to accrue but is not expected to be actually paid in the cash flow planning period. Interest repayment will be a number of years hence aligned to Loan Note repayment.

● For planning purposes, the first tranche of development land has been sold which was used to support working capital requirements as per the conditions of the Shareholder Agreement. Further capital receipts (not budgeted for in 2017/18 to support working capital requirements) will be used to repay loans and interest.

These assumptions are made for planning purposes and will be continually reviewed to take account of future changes in likely costs and income. The COSCOS Board has undertaken a fundamental review of all income streams and costs associated with the Stadium which has reduced the cost base and impacted positively upon cash flow forecasts in the future.

1.3. The Funding Requirement to 31st March 2018

The funding for 2017/18 is predominantly required to allow COSCOS to pay its existing loan principal and interest obligations to the City Council. This is a cash requirement and is not related directly to the profit or loss of the business. The further finance required prior to 31st March 2018, based on the forecast outturn amounts to £1.265m with the council share being £632.5k and is as outlined in recommendation 2 at the beginning of the report. This is £0.093m less than the projected cash flow requirement for 2017/18 at this time last year. The council will receive interest payments during 2017/18 from COSCOS in excess of the amounts requested for the working capital loan and the council therefore do not need to undertake any additional borrowing to finance the loan.

It is also currently anticipated, that over at least the next three years (current financial planning period) further loan finance will be required from the two COSCOS shareholders to support the company. The estimated additional loan finance in future years beyond 2017/18 will depend upon the timing of land receipts and decisions to be taken about which debt takes priority for repayment.

1.4. Legal Mechanism for Providing Funding

Page 33 It is proposed that the additional loan finance is provided by a legal Facility Agreement between Salford City Council, Peel Land (Red City) Ltd and the borrower, COSCOS. This is the same mechanism as that employed in 2016/17.

The key proposed terms are as follows:

● The Lenders would agree to provide COSCOS with a term loan facility to be provided by the Lenders on a 50:50 basis. The City Council has already taken a first charge over the stadium to cover the development loan (the loan required to facilitate the building of the Stadium); any subsequent charge granted under the terms of the proposed new facility would rank behind the existing charge, which is something which needs to be negotiated.

● COSCOS shall use all money borrowed under this Agreement for working capital purposes.

● Instalments would be drawn down by COSCOS in accordance with need once approved by the COSCOS Board on either a monthly or quarterly basis to be agreed.

● Legal advice is that interest needs to be charged on any loan given to COSCOS. Interest will be charged at the agreed rate between the shareholders but will only be payable upon redemption.

● The Lenders may elect by notice in writing to COSCOS (a “Loan Note Notice”) to receive in satisfaction of repayment of the Loan and accrued interest thereon the issue of Loan Notes to the value of the Loan and interest outstanding. The Loan Notes would be future dated to a period when the trading operations of the Stadium will support repayment. It is proposed that this is dated 2022.

The City Council, COSCOS, and Peel Holdings will need to enter into an agreement to formalise the facility.

1.5. Financial Security for the City Council

In the long term the financial security of the stadium depends upon the available plots of land that will be sold for development, income derived from tenancies and other income achieved via events and other trading by the Stadium Company.

KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:

● Connecting Salford 7

Page 34 ● Visit Salford ● Salford Economic Development Plan

EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS:

The existence of a community stadium provides a wide range of benefits for many residents, businesses and visitors. The Stadium facilitates employment, enjoyment and pleasure. The Stadium is very much viewed as a community asset for the benefit of all.

ASSESSMENT OF RISK:

Unless further finance is provided by the Shareholders, the Stadium Company will be unable to continue trading, resulting in a default on the existing loan agreement.

The ability to repay loans in the long term is conditional upon land sales. Current estimates of overall development land values are up to £16.7m

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS Supplied by: Richard Holmes, Principal Solicitor

The proposed legal mechanism and documentation, including the Facility Agreement for providing funding is an appropriate way forward and this is the same mechanism and documentation as that employed in 2016/17 and on which the City Council was advised by DWF as being appropriate.

The proposed loan facility by the City Council needs to be at market rate to be State Aid neutral. This additional loan facility is to save the City Council’s money already invested and mitigate a potential loss. It is viewed by the City Council to be within the Market Economy Investor Principle (“MEIP”) and a commercial decision in light of all the circumstances.

Under paragraph 2.4.1 Article 2 of the City Council’s Constitution all of the City Council’s executive functions are vested in the elected City Mayor. Section 9E(2) of the Local Government Act 2000 (as amended) provides that the elected City Mayor may determine to exercise any of the City Council’s executive functions personally, or may arrange for the exercise of any of the City Council’s executive functions by i) the Cabinet as a whole, ii) another member of the Cabinet, iii) a Committee of the Cabinet, iv) an officer of the City Council or v) an area committee (which in Salford are called ‘Community Committees’).

Page 35 The decision required in relation to this report is an executive function and the City Mayor has the power under the City Council’s Constitution to personally exercise this executive function and to make the decision.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS Supplied by: Neil Thornton (Director of Finance and Corporate Business), Paula Summersfield (Strategic Finance Manager)

Financial implications are detailed in the body of the report.

The council benefit from Business Rates receivable from the Stadium Company of £31k per annum in 2017

PROCUREMENT IMPLICATIONS Supplied by: None

HR IMPLICATIONS Supplied by: None

OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED: Not relevant

CONTACT OFFICERS: Neil Thornton, Paula Summersfield

WARDS TO WHICH REPORT RELATES: The stadium is in Barton ward but users are likely to reside in all wards of the city and beyond.

Page 36

Appendix D – Local Area Orientation Plan

Page 37

Appendix E – 2015 Travel Plan including Summary of On Site Facilities

Page 38 1

Updated Travel Plan for the Salford City Stadium (AJ Bell Stadium) Planning Approval Ref: 11/60383/HYBEIA

Final Plan October 2015

Urban Vision Emerson House Albert Street Eccles Salford M30 OTE

0161 779 4800 www.urbanvision.org.uk

Page 39

Title: Updated Travel Plan for the Salford City Stadium (AJ Bell Stadium)

Prepared by

Status Names Signatures Date Author Draft Final 30th December 2015 Rose Featherby

Checked

Andy Devine

CONTACT

Andy Devine Group Engineer Road Casualty Reduction Group Urban Vision Partnership Ltd Emerson House Albert Street Eccles M30 0TE

Tel 0161 779 4859

Email [email protected] Website. www.urbanvision.org.uk

- 1 -

Page 40

Contents Page

1. Introduction 3 2. Policy Context: Sustainable Transport and Travel Plans 5 3. The Development 8 4. Site Accessibility 11 5. Current travel situation and Issues 16 6. Monitoring and Review 17

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Page 41

1. Introduction

1.1 Travel Plans

Travel plans are a coordinated package of measures used to encourage alternatives to single occupancy car travel. Measures are set out to meet the needs of users whilst providing healthier and more sustainable options. Travel plans are tools used in the delivery of accessible communities.

1.2 Background

This travel plan has been prepared by Urban Vision Partnership Ltd on behalf of The City of Salford Community Stadium Ltd. It is a review and update of an earlier travel plan prepared by Urban Vision in 2011 to accompany planning application approval 03/46028/OUT, which was granted outline planning permission on 2nd November 2006.

This travel plan relates to Phase 1a of the development of the Salford City Stadium (now known as the AJ Bell Stadium) at the land bounded by Liverpool Road (A57), the Manchester Ship Canal and Barton Bridge, Eccles, Salford.

The full planning permission was granted for:

“Full application for the erection of a 20,000 capacity community stadium with associated integrated facilities including offices, players facilities, hospitality, concessions and community, executive and media rooms to be constructed in 3 phases; two outdoor sports pitches, (one grass and one artificial); community changing facility; and new access off Liverpool Road together with associated car parking and landscaping. Outline application with all matters reserved for free standing 21,367 square metres of non-food bulk retail development. Variation to condition 13 on previously approved planning application 10/58995/HYBEIA.”.

The 3 phases of construction referred to in the particulars of the development are as follows:

• Phase 1 – 12,000 spectator capacity • Phase 2 – 15,000 spectator capacity • Phase 3 – 20,000 spectator capacity.

This travel plan covers all elements of the stadium in Phase 1 which comprises: • 12,000 capacity stadium (subsequently revised down to 11,384 for Health and Safety reasons) • Community Changing facilities • 2 external pitches (1 grass and 1 all weather) • 750 cover banqueting suite (capable of being split into 3 different rooms) • Meeting and office space/business centre • Press office • Professional kitchens • 12 hospitality boxes/meeting rooms

- 3 -

Page 42

Condition 12 is as follows:

“No part of the development shall be brought into public use until a Travel Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority for that stage/phase. Such a plan shall provide details of the objectives, targets and measures to promote and facilitate public transport use, walking, cycling and practices/facilities to reduce the need to travel and to reduce car use. It shall also provide details of its management, monitoring and review mechanisms, travel plan coordination, and the provision of travel information and marketing. The initiatives contained within the approved plan shall be implemented and shall be in place prior to the first occupation of the development unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority”.

1.3 Current situation

Phase 1 is now complete and the stadium opened in January 2012, with a capacity of 11,384. It provides an arena for sports, events and conferences for businesses and communities throughout the North West. It is the home ground for Salford Red Devils rugby league club and also Sale Sharks rugby union club.

1.4 Methodology

In order to create an updated travel plan, the following steps were taken to ensure that the final plan is representative of the site and surroundings as well as the travel needs of the users of the site.

Date Activity

March – April 2015 • Agreed objectives and nature of the travel plan with City of Salford Community Stadium and other key stakeholders • Site audit undertaken to identify existing provision for sustainable transport

May 2015 • Design and agree content of surveys (online) for stadium staff and rugby club supporters • Circulation and advertisement of survey link to all staff and fans

June 2015 • Collation and analysis of survey results • Additional background work to identify related ongoing and future transport or development proposals

July 2015 • Renewal of site wide travel plan, to include new survey results, targets, actions and timescales. Also includes review of previous actions and new action plan to reflect current situation

August 2015 • Agreement on final travel plan, including actions and budgets, with key stakeholders

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2. Policy Context: Sustainable Transport and Travel Plans

2.1 Overview

This section of the report looks at the principles of the development proposal within the context of relevant transport and planning policy at national and local levels. It sets a framework within which development should be delivered, with the promotion of sustainable modes over single occupancy use of the private car. This was the relevant policy background that informed the decisions made when granting planning permission for the stadium.

2.2 National Policy

In March 2012 the Department of Communities and Local Government published the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF supersedes the Planning Policy Guidance notes and sets out the Government’s policies in relation to various aspects of planning. Chapter 4 relates to ‘Promoting Sustainable transport’. The NPPF builds on the PPG notes and the policies developed within the 1998 Government White Paper, “A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone” [DETR] which highlighted the need to deliver an integrated transport policy and sustainable development patterns.

In addition, the Department for Transport’s “The Essential Guide to Travel Planning” contains guidance for best practice when producing travel plans.

2.2.1 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

The National Planning Policy Framework contains the core aim of increasing co-ordination between land use planning and transport. The objectives of the NPPF are to promote more sustainable transport choices; to promote accessibility; and, to reduce the need to travel, especially by car. Chapter 4 of the NPPF states that transport policies have an important role to play in facilitating sustainable development but also in contributing to wider sustainability and health objectives and that the transport system needs to be balanced in favour of sustainable transport modes, giving people a real choice about how they travel (Paragraph 29).

When preparing documentation plans and considering planning applications, local authorities are also advised to: • support a pattern of development which, where reasonable to do so, facilitates the use of sustainable modes of transport. (Paragraph 30) • work with neighbouring authorities and transport providers to develop strategies for the provision of viable infrastructure necessary to support sustainable development (Paragraph 31) • ensure developments that generate significant movement are located where the need to travel will be minimised and the use of sustainable transport modes can be maximised (paragraph 34) • aim for a balance of land uses within their area so that people can be encouraged to minimise journey lengths for employment, shopping, leisure, education and other activities. (Paragraph 37) • identify and protect, where there is robust evidence, sites and routes which could be critical in developing infrastructure to widen transport choice (Paragraph 41)

In addition all developments that generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a travel plan and should be supported by a Transport Statement or Transport Assessment. (Paragraphs 32 and 36)

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Plans and decisions should take account of whether: • the opportunities for sustainable transport modes have been taken up depending on the nature and location of the site, to reduce the need for major transport infrastructure; • safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all people; and • improvements can be undertaken within the transport network that cost effectively limit the significant impacts of the development. (Paragraph 32)

Plans should protect and exploit opportunities for the use of sustainable transport modes for the movement of goods or people. Therefore, developments should be located and designed where practical to: • accommodate the efficient delivery of goods and supplies; • give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements, and have access to high quality public transport facilities; • create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists or pedestrians, avoiding street clutter and where appropriate establishing home zones; • incorporate facilities for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles; and • consider the needs of people with disabilities by all modes of transport.

2.3 Local Policy

2.3.1 Greater Manchester Third Local Transport Plan (2011/12 -2015/16)

The Transport Act 2000 places a statutory requirement on all local authorities to produce a Local Transport Plan. The ten councils which make up Greater Manchester produce a joint Local Transport Plan, which is currently in its third revision. It sets out a five year strategy for the management, maintenance, development and monitoring of the transport network across Greater Manchester.

The core objectives for LTP3 are as follows:

• To ensure that the transport network supports the Greater Manchester economy to improve the life chances of residents and the success of business; • To ensure that carbon emissions from transport are reduced in line with UK Government targets in order to minimise the impact of climate change; • To ensure that the transport system facilitates active, healthy lifestyles and a reduction in the number of casualties and that other adverse health impacts are minimised; • To ensure that the design and maintenance of the transport network and provision of services supports sustainable neighbourhoods and public spaces and provides equality of transport opportunities; and • To maximise value for money in the provision and maintenance of transport infrastructure and services.

Travel Plans are set out as an important tool in promoting travel choices and increasing active travel, as well as supporting the local economy and workforce.

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2.3.2 Salford Unitary Development Plan 2004 - 2016

The Unitary Development Plan (UDP) is a statutory document that sets out the council's planning policies that are used to guide development, conservation, regeneration and environmental improvement activity in Salford. The UDP and other adopted development plan documents comprise the development plan for the city. Decisions on planning applications must be made in line with the development plan, unless there are clear material considerations which dictate why this should not be the case.

Salford’s UDP was adopted on 21 June 2006 and its policies were therefore initially saved until 21 June 2009. The city council had not adopted by that date any Development Plan Documents as part of the new Local Development Framework to replace the UDP, and consequently applied to and received the consent of the Secretary of State to save many of the UDP Policies beyond 21 June 2009. These policies will gradually be replaced as Development Plan Documents such as the Core Strategy are adopted.

The following policies are considered to be relevant to the development proposals:

Policy A2 (Cyclists, Pedestrians and the Disabled) states that development proposals will be required to make adequate provision for safe and convenient access by the disabled, other people with limited or impaired mobility, pedestrians and cyclists.

Policy A10 (Provision of Car, Cycle and Motorcycle Parking in New Developments) states that development will be required to: • Make adequate provision for disabled drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists in accordance with the minimum standards set out in Appendix B of the UDP; • Not exceed the maximum car parking standards set out in Appendix C of the UDP; and • Provide the parking facilities in a manner consistent with the provision and maintenance of adequate standards of safety and security.

Appendix B of the UDP includes minimum standards for parking for disabled people, cycles and motorcycles at stadia with over 200 parking spaces, as summarised in the table below.

Number of disabled bays Number of cycle parking spaces Number of motorcycle parking spaces

4 bays plus 4% of total 1 per 150 seats – 1 per 600 seats – capacity minimum of 2 minimum of 2 spaces spaces

Table 1: disabled, cycle and motorcycle parking standards

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3. The Development

3.1 Location

The site is located in Barton, between Eccles and Irlam, adjacent to junction 11 of M60 motorway to the East.

The site is bounded by Liverpool Road (A57), the Manchester Ship Canal and Barton Bridge, Eccles.

Access to site is obtained via a new link road from Liverpool Road (A57). This leads to the M60 junction 11 and Eccles town centre to the east and Irlam to the west.

A Location Plan is attached. See Appendix 1.

3.2 The stadium

The existing site (known as phase 1) generally consists of the stadium, meetings/conference space, outdoor sports pitches and a gym. More specific details are given below:

• 11,384 capacity community stadium which is intended to grow to its full 20,000 capacity over time. • Banqueting suite that can host functions catering for up to 750 people. This suite can be divided into 3 smaller rooms. • Meeting and office space for community, public sector and voluntary sector organisations. • Concessions • 13 hospitality boxes • Professional kitchens • One grass pitch and one all weather community pitch • Community changing facilities for multiple teams within the main stadium stands • 312 marked out car parking spaces (of which 28 are disabled spaces and 32 reserved for YourGym customers) • Up to 1000 additional parking spaces available on gravel areas surrounding stadium • Taxi Rank for 4 taxis and dedicated phone line for minicab firm • Coach drop off and parking for 8 coaches • Cycle parking for 26 bicycles • Motorcycle parking area for approx. 20 motorcycles • Agreement in place with City Airport to provide up to 300 additional parking spaces on match days

As with all large venues, the Stadium is a high trip generator and leads to a high demand on local infrastructure around the site during matches. This Travel Plan aims to help reduce the number of people accessing the site via single occupancy car and hence reduce congestion and pollution resulting from the development.

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3.3 Future proposals

3.3.1 Port Salford/WGIS

Port Salford is a £138 million project to provide an inland port facility on Manchester Ship Canal adjacent to the stadium. This development will bring major changes to the transport infrastructure around the stadium, including a new rail (freight) stop at the port, the realignment of the existing A57 closer to the stadium and a new, mile long dual carriageway link to Trafford Way. The scheme will provide a new lift bridge over the ship canal offering an alternative route to the M60, as well as an off road cycle and pedestrian route to the Trafford Centre. The transport infrastructure required to support Port Salford is known as the Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme (WGIS)

Appendix 2 shows a map of the scheme.

3.3.2 Greene King pub

A new restaurant/pub has been built on a plot between the stadium and the A57. It has a gross floor area of 1,163 sq metres and provides 100 parking spaces. It is likely that on match days the restaurant will be utilised by supporters combining a meal with the match and this may help disperse traffic at peak times by people arriving earlier or leaving later to include a visit to the restaurant.

3.3.3 Peel Green Area Residents Parking Permits

Due to ongoing problems with supporters parking in nearby streets, local residents have requested that a match day permit scheme be introduced, preventing anyone without a residents permit from parking on match days. Salford City Council is considering a draft scheme and although the full details have yet to be finalised, it is possible, subject to approval that some sort of resident’s match day permit scheme will be implemented. This will displace a large number of supporters from their usual parking spaces who will need to find somewhere else to park or alternative ways to travel.

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3.4 Site Occupants

3.4.1 Salford Red Devils Rugby League Club

The Salford City Stadium is the new home of the Salford Red Devils Rugby League Club who have relocated from their old ground ‘The Willows’ in Weaste.

Salford Red Devils compete in the Super League. The Rugby League Season runs from mid-February until October. The average attendance at games at the Willows is 4,000 and after an initial drop in attendance following the move, average attendance in 2014 was up to 4,700. Games used to be played mainly on Friday evenings with gate opening at 6pm for an 8pm kick off and finishing at 10pm with the ground closed by 11pm. Occasionally matches were played on a Saturday or Sunday if they were televised. During the 2015 season, more games are being played on Saturday or Sunday afternoons than on Friday nights.

3.4.2 Salford Reds Foundation

The Salford Reds Foundation is a registered charity which provides opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to participate in activities relating to sport, education and health. The Foundation operates in Salford, Manchester and surrounding areas.

The Foundation occupies one of the community concessions at the stadium. There are 11 full-time staff, as well as apprentices, volunteers and extra part time staff for events.

The Foundation also operates courses for young people and they run a daily bus to the stadium for their students from Albion High School.

3.4.3 Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club

Sale Sharks compete in the Aviva Premiership, the top flight of rugby union. After outgrowing their original ground at Heywood Road in Sale, they moved to Edgeley Park in Stockport in 2003 and are now based at the AJ Bell stadium. The season runs from September to May and average attendance for 2014/15 was 6,400. Fixtures are usually played on a Saturday afternoon but are sometimes on a Friday or Sunday.

3.4.4 Hospitality

All catering and hospitality at the site is provided by Azure/Elior. The 220 staff work on a rota system, with approximately 105 present on a match day. The company employs 12 full time staff and the rest are casual for match days only.

3.4.5 Your Gym

Your Gym occupies approximately 10,000sq feet on the ground floor and first floor of the stadium. It employs 11 staff (not all full time) and is open 6am – 10pm weekdays and 8am – 8pm weekends. It has 3,000 members and is open as usual during matches and other events. On match days, there are 32 reserved parking spaces on the main car park for gym members.

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4. Site Accessibility

4.1 Introduction

This section considers the existing relevant transport infrastructure that could be used by employees, and visitors of the development, and also looks at future infrastructure that is planned to be implemented.

4.2 Walking and Cycling

4.2.1 Walking

There are approximately 5,600 households within 2 km of the stadium who could be reasonably be expected to walk to the stadium. These comprise parts of the residential areas of Peel Green and Brookhouse. The principal pedestrian links to the site from the local residential areas are along Liverpool Road. Between Peel Green/ Brookhouse and the stadium, footways are present on both sides of the road and these are in good or acceptable condition.

Pedestrian crossing points were installed and upgraded when the stadium was built, and there are continuous footways and controlled pedestrian crossings along the key walking routes.

The ongoing construction works for WGIS (Western Gateway Infrastructure Scheme) and Port Salford mean that a new road layout and associated pedestrian and cyclist facilities will soon be in place around the stadium. The changes will include redirecting the A57 to be closer to the stadium and installing pedestrian crossings at all arms of the new junction leading to the stadium. The completed works will also include a new walking route over the ship canal to the Trafford Centre, which will open up new ‘park and stride’ options for people to reach the stadium. Appendix 4 shows the new layout that will be in place directly outside the stadium for pedestrians.

4.2.2 Cycling

PPG 13 shows that cycling has the greatest potential to replace car trips under five kilometres.

The A57 has an off road cycle route which runs to Cadishead in a westerly direction and as far as Sealand Drive in an easterly direction. The WGIS scheme will provide a new, shared use footway/cycle way along the length of the realigned A57, as well as a cycle route over the ship canal to Urmston and the Trafford Cente. Toucan crossings will be provided on 2 arms of the new junction outside the stadium, enabling traffic free cycling to the stadium from multiple directions.

On site, there are 13 cycle stands, each of which can accommodate 2 cycles, bringing the total cycle parking to 26. There are showers and changing facilities within the community changing rooms.

Appendix 3 shows existing cycle routes around the Stadium.

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4.3 Public Transport

4.3.1 Bus

Guidance published by the IHT (Institute of Highways and Transportation) ‘Planning for Public Transport in Developments’ (1999) recommends that the maximum walking distance to a bus stop should be 400 metres, approximately a five minute walk.

The nearest bus stops are on Liverpool Road, approximately 200 metres from the stadium entrance. Pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of the lay by and Liverpool Road provide safe, direct routes to both bus stops.

The Eccles/Manchester bound bus stop includes a shelter and timetable information. This stop will be moved approximately 20 metres south west of its current position as part of the realignment of the A57/WGIS works. There will be a lay by, shelter, seating, raised kerbs and timetable information.

An existing Irlam bound bus stop will be removed as part of the A57 realignment. Bus services 67 and 100 will continue to pass the site on Stadium Way once the highway works are complete. In addition, new bus stops will be provided on the new road to the east of the junction outside the stadium, but it has not yet been determined how these stops will be serviced.

The bus services that serve the existing stops are summarised in table 2.

Table 2: Bus timetable summary

Service Destination Daytime Evening Weekend frequency frequency frequency

67 Cadishead/Warrington 15 mins 15 to 30 mins Sat: 15 mins Sun: 30 mins

67 Eccles/Manchester 15 mins 15 to 30 mins Sat: 15 mins Sun: 30 mins

100 Trafford Centre/Eccles/ 30 mins Hourly up to 23:25 Sat: 30 mins and Manchester hourly evenings Sun: hourly

100 Cadishead/Warrington 30 mins Hourly up to 23:36 Sat: 30 mins and hourly evenings Sun: hourly

10* Eccles/Manchester 12 mins none Sat: 12 mins Sun: 20 mins

*The no. 10 service runs from a further bus stop on Brookhouse Avenue (Brookhouse estate) which is 500 m from the stadium entrance, next to junction 11 of M60.

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4.3.2 Rail

The closest railway station to the site is Patricroft, 3.3km away (31 minute walk). There are several other railway stations nearby to the stadium which can be accessed by the bus services outlined in table 1, including Irlam (5.6km/ 1 hour 9 minute walk) and Eccles (3.7km/ 47 minute walk). Eccles and Patricroft stations are served by the Northern Rail service between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria; both of which have onward connections to the rest of the country. Irlam is a station located on the Liverpool – Warrington - Manchester Oxford Road route.

Services and frequencies to and from the local Stations are outlined in Table 3 and 4.

Table 3: Rail Service Frequency Patricroft Station Rail services from Patricroft Station

Destination Weekdays Saturdays Sundays

Service First Last Service First Last Service First Last Frequency Train Train Frequency Train Train Frequency Train Train

Manchester 1 service 06:07 23:07 1 service 06:07 23:07 none Victoria per hour per hour

Liverpool 1 service 05:48 23:19 1 service 05:48 23:19 none per hour per hour

Table 4: Rail Service Frequency Irlam Station Rail services from Irlam Station

Destination Weekdays Saturdays Sundays

Service First Last Service First Last Service First Last Frequency Train Train Frequency Train Train Frequency Train Train

Warrington 1-2 06:42 23:47 1-2 06:42 23:40 1 service 08:21 22:58 services services per hour per hour per hour

Manchester 1-2 06:16 22:48 1-2 07:10 22:48 1 service 09:12 23:12 Oxford Road services services per hour per hour per hour

Manchester Victoria station offers onward travel to destinations north and east of Manchester, such as Wigan, Southport, Blackpool, Clitheroe, Kirkby, Stalybridge, Huddersfield and Leeds. It also has direct metrolink and bus links to Manchester Piccadilly, which has connections to key cities all over the UK.

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4.3.3 Metrolink

The closest Metrolink stop to the stadium is Eccles, 3.5k away (44 minute walk). The service operates between Eccles and Manchester city centre every 12 minutes. The bus services listed in table 1 link the Metrolink stop to the Stadium.

Over the last few years, several extensions to the Metrolink network have taken place, expanding the network to include routes to Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton under Lyne, Didsbury, Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport.

Expansion work currently underway will lead to a second city crossing, enabling more frequent trams across the city centre.

Future Metrolink proposals include a new route through Trafford Park, the Trafford Centre and over the ship canal to Port Salford. This would result in a new tram stop at the stadium, which would be of huge benefit to supporters on match days.

Appendix 5 shows the current and proposed Metrolink network.

4.4 Car Travel

The Stadium is served by an access road off the A57 main road. The A57 provides links to the local area and has good access to the M602, M60 and M62 motorways for access to the rest of the North West region and beyond.

WGIS works around the stadium will eventually provide a new road access to the M60 and across the ship canal to the Trafford Centre. It is anticipated that this will improve access to the stadium by providing an alternative route.

4.4.1 Car Parking

There are 312 car park spaces marked out at the stadium. On match days, there is additional parking (for approximately 1000 cars) on an unsurfaced/gravel area adjacent to the stadium. The South stand car park accommodates staff, coaches and press and the rest of the car park is accessed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, with the exception of 32 spaces which are reserved for gym members.

Match day car parking is managed by Premier Parking and a charge is levied. Fans also have the option of paying for parking for the full season when they purchase their match season tickets.

Additional parking is also supplied on match days by a number of community groups and local businesses. Barton aerodrome/city airport (up to 300), Eccles rugby club (100) and the Unicorn pub all provide match day parking, and additional venues provide parking for park and ride services, such as the Trafford Centre. Local residential streets and laybys are also used by supporters, which can cause some disruption to traffic and residents.

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4.4.2 Disabled Access

28 disabled parking spaces are located within close proximity to the stadium and community facilities. Dropped kerbs are provided from the designated disabled car parking spaces onto the main stadium external concourse.

A drop off facility is also available at the main West Stand.

4.4.3 Park and Ride / Coach travel

Sale Sharks operate 3 shuttle buses on match days. 2 of these travel from the Trafford Centre and they each carry 90 passengers, making a maximum of 4 trips. This carries a maximum of 720 fans.

The third bus provides pick ups for supporters from a number of local centres: Albert Sq Chop House, the Lawn Club (M’cr city centre), The Armoury (Stockport), The Lord Nelson (Urmston), The Brook (Sale), The Railway (Hale), The King George (Altrincham), and The Orange Tree Inn (Altrincham).

Salford Reds also run a shuttle bus according to demand, starting from Weaste near their old ground.

4.5 Motorcycle Travel

An area for motorcycle parking is marked out in the main car park close to the stadium. There is space for approximately 20 motorcycles.

4.6 Air Travel

Manchester International Airport is situated 19.7 km (12.3 miles) from the stadium. Both domestic and international flights operate from the airport.

For visitors travelling to and from the Airport, there are several transport options to arrive at the stadium:

• Getting a train to Manchester Piccadilly station and then travelling directly on the bus from Manchester Shudehill (via walk from Piccadilly), or travelling to Eccles on the Metrolink and bus or taxi from there, or alternatively getting a train to the nearest rail station. • Hiring a rental car from the Airport. • Taking a taxi from the Airport directly to Stadium. • Bus into Manchester city centre and then the Metrolink/Bus/Train from there.

In addition to Manchester International Airport, City Airport is located at Barton Aerodrome adjacent to the stadium. Light aircraft and helicopters could utilise this airport on match days.

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4.7 Taxi Travel

There is a dedicated taxi bay at the Stadium. Bookings need to be made in person and there is a direct and dedicated taxi hotline telephone in the Stadium’s reception.

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5. Current travel situation and issues

Now that the stadium has been operational for nearly 5 years, regular supporters will have settled into travel routines and habits. Initial teething problems should have been sorted out and traffic on match day traffic should flow smoothly.

However, there are a number of issues that still cause problems on match days. These issues have been highlighted by staff, fans and local residents and will be tackled by the Action Plan (section 8).

The key issues to be addressed by this updated plan include:

• Not enough public transport options for attending matches • Road safety and pedestrian concerns • Congestion on the A57 and M60 • Match day parking occurring in residential streets, displacing residents who have requested a residents permit scheme to prevent it

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6. Monitoring and Review

6.1 Monitoring

This travel plan will be monitored by the Travel Plan Coordinator. Each year, a review of the plan will take place and any new or amended tasks will be added to the plan. An annual report will be submitted to Salford City Council providing updated survey data, progress against targets as well as a summary of what has been achieved and any new developments.

When large scale infrastructure schemes have an impact on the stadium, targets and actions plans will be reviewed accordingly, in addition to the annual review. WGIS and the additional future retail development on the wider site will affect the way people travel to the stadium and these changes will prompt a review of the travel plan.

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Appendix F – Summary Traffic Survey Data

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Appendix G – List of Non-Material Amendments in late 2010

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Appendix H – Background Information about the role of the SGSA

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Appendix I – Key Principles of Green Guide

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