![\"Chapel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS389148523.jpg\")
Chapel Street has been transformed (Image: Declan Carey)<\/p>\nA major revamp on Chapel Street has finished months ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n
08:08, 29 Nov 2025Updated 08:41, 29 Nov 2025<\/p>\n
Chapel Street has been transformed (Image: Declan Carey)<\/p>\n
People in Salford have welcomed a massive change on one of the city\u2019s busiest streets. A stretch of Chapel Street between New Bailey Street and Blackfriars has reopened after months of work to transform the road into a safer place for pedestrians and cyclists.<\/p>\n
Expected to finish in 2026, the \u00a34m revamp<\/a> has opened ahead of schedule with cars and bikes back on the road. David Lafferty, 50, lives near Chapel Street and said it will make a huge difference.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s great, it was pretty cr*p before but it\u2019s way better now,\u201d he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. \u201cIt will make a big difference for me because I come down here a lot, it\u2019s just easier and you feel safer.\u201d<\/p>\n This part of the street now has new cycle lanes on either side, and a pedestrian crossing in the middle. It comes after big changes on Deansgate<\/a> in Manchester, which made the city centre street one-way and created new bike lanes.<\/p>\n Two landmark projects on some of the busiest roads in Manchester and Salford<\/a>, both completed in the same year. But back on Chapel Street, David was less sure about whether new facilities are enough to encourage people to cycle rather than hop in the car.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re using a bike you\u2019d use it anyway, but it looks better,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you totally pedestrianised it maybe that would [get more people cycling], but I don\u2019t know if you are going to get more people out, but it\u2019s a lot better than it was.\u201d<\/p>\n The works on Chapel Street were not without complaints, with fears at the start of construction of congestion and gridlock<\/a>. Some residents later said construction work was noisy and often happened after midnight, causing sleepless nights<\/a>.<\/p>\n But now the construction barriers are down, the vibe on Chapel Street was positive about the change. Alex Fothergill, 23, made the brave decision to start renting a flat on Chapel Street two months ago when the area was still a construction site.<\/p>\n The Stockton-on-Tees native added: \u201cNow it\u2019s all done it looks very nice. I think it will get more people out walking and cycling, it\u2019s a great direction towards Spinningfields<\/a> way. The traffic is not too bad now but it was a nightmare before when it was being built.<\/p>\n \u201cLiving in the city centre, you do sometimes come to expect less greenery, but it\u2019s good to have more of that here.\u201d<\/p>\n Further up the street, 56-year-old Grahame Robertson said: \u201cI\u2019m here every day and it looks fresher and cleaner now. I\u2019m not sure if this itself will encourage more people to cycle, but I hope it does.\u201d<\/p>\n Grahame suggested that many in Manchester and Salford have come to rely on driving, a situation which is not stress-free. \u201cI drive on the Mancunian Way and if there\u2019s an accident in the morning you just don\u2019t know what time you\u2019ll get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n Salford council said a \u2018Streets for All\u2019 design approach was used to rebalance the space in favour of pedestrians and cyclists, while also catering for buses and general traffic.<\/p>\n Along with new bike paths and footways, there\u2019s been more planting and \u2018sustainable urban drainage systems\u2019 put in place, the town hall added.<\/p>\n Coun Mike McCusker, the lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council, said: \u201cThis is a fantastic achievement for Salford. Completing the works ahead of schedule means we can reopen the road before Christmas<\/a>, easing travel for residents, businesses and visitors during one of the busiest times of the year.<\/p>\n \u201cThese improvements will make a real difference to how people experience the city centre \u2013 creating safer, greener, and more connected spaces for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS389148515.jpg\")
David Lafferty was out on his bike using the new cycle lanes (Image: Declan Carey)<\/p>\n![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS389148517.jpg\")
Alex Fothergill said the changes are positive for Salford (Image: Declan Carey)<\/p>\n![\"Grahame](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS389148520.jpg\")
Grahame Robertson said driving in parts of Greater Manchester can be a frustrating experience (Image: Declan Carey)<\/p>\n