The multi-million-pound regeneration of Stretford town centre has taken a huge step forward today. The Trafford Kingsway upgrade brings significant improvements to local infrastructure. It ensures smoother and safer travel for both residents and visitors.
Trafford Council has announced that major improvements to Kingsway and Barton Road are complete. The road has reopened – a month ahead of schedule.
The £17.6m Trafford Council public realm scheme is funded by the UK Government’s Future High Street Fund. It aims to make the Kingsway and Barton Road junction safer and greener for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Kingsway has been completely resurfaced and reduced to two single lanes to improve safety. Footpaths have been widened and two new crossing points have been installed. New seating, planting, play areas, trees, lighting, and sustainable drainage have also been added.
The footpath next to the Mall will be widened once the retail units facing Kingsway are completed in early 2025. As part of the project, rain gardens have been installed to improve sustainability. These gardens capture surface water from the road and footpaths before it enters the drainage network. This helps reduce flooding and supports sustainable drainage systems.
The work is part of an overall project to transform Stretford into a greener, healthier and more sustainable town centre.
Transforming Kingsway: Safer, greener and ready for the future
This major project also includes regenerating the Mall through a joint venture with Bruntwood. The first phase, currently underway, focuses on transforming the historic King Street into a vibrant high street. It blends national and independent retail with leisure businesses. Extensive landscaping will create spaces where the community can come together.
Future phases of work include the development of much-needed new homes, including affordable housing and new public spaces and green spaces.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “Stretford town centre is being transformed into a great place for residents, shoppers and businesses. Kingsway and the Barton Road junction already look fabulous and will make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists, while complementing the redevelopment of Stretford Mall. I’d like to thank LK Group, AEYates and the other sub-consultants for working hard to get Kingsway and Barton Road junction opened ahead of schedule.
“This work at Stretford Mall will create a vibrant and exciting King Street with a mix of local and national traders and businesses. We are committed to making our town centres incredible places for all to enjoy. These are hugely exciting times for Stretford and will make the town centre one of the places to be in Trafford. The new Lloyd Square is also a fabulous addition. It will become a focal point for the whole community.”
The Kingsway and Barton Road work was carried out by The LK Group, Civic Engineers and AE Yates. Funding was provided by the Government’s Future High Street Fund. The completion of the Trafford Kingsway upgrade has better equipped the area to handle increased traffic flow. It also supports future growth within the community, ensuring improved infrastructure for years to come.