Conference 06 update

There's just over a week to go until our 2006 conference, so things are busy here at Campaign headquarters. Every seat in the house is taken, and the agenda's looking packed. Here's just a taste of what's on offer...

• The initial findings of the Mersey renewables study - the latest wisdom on sustainable energy options for the Northwest
• An insight into plans for the Irwell City Park, and MediaCity:UK
• The lowdown on the SCAMP project and the rural environment
• A look at the ARTERY project and riverside regeneration
• An exclusive sneak preview of Mersey: The river that changed the world - the publishing sensation of 2007/8?

You can see the whole programme HERE.

If you've got any thoughts about the issues that are going to be discussed, leave us a comment here on the blog. Perhaps you're unable to attend the conference and would like to ask a question about one of these subjects? Leave your question as a comment here, and we'll do our best to answer it in the course of the day.

Thanks.

Comments

[Mark A. Whitfield]

I thought Mersey Basin readers might be interested to know the current status of the actual build for MediaCity:UK in Salford Quays as of December 2007.

The site now consists of 6 cranes with a 7th and 8th on the way (crane bases in place). Most of the concrete cores of the new BBC building look to be in place or started, rising to 10-11 stories (maybe more) for the highest cores.

The land for the taller buildings off to the side of the main BBC building (right from the Lowry Centre side) is still being dug and prepared but more temporary cabins are in place off Broadway (the road that runs through the back of the Quays) presumably to house more MediaCIty:UK project staff and a contingent of the BBC (cameramen) looking at the latest articles across the internet.

The current phase of the build occupies 35-40 acres (next to the City Lofts flats) with other phases planned across the water on the Imperial War Museum side.

The overall site is something of the order of 200 acres but no visible signs of development has started outside the main phase 1 area currently. No doubt this will depend on discussions with other media companies being persuaded to join the MediaCity:UK estate.

For a photographic timeline for November / December and beyond (and pictures back to June of this year), go to Google and search on 'media city uk salford quays timeline q4'.

Judging be the pace of the development, there is a big push on to meet the 2010/11 date for the first phase completion.

Those currently thinking about a career in the media by way of a chosen degree (media studies, photography etc.) might be one of the 15,500 new jobs to be created between now and 2011 in the first phase of this build. Also, the price of properties (and especially flats) in the area will almost certainly rise as a result of the considerable development occuring in this location with new flats being built currently.

I have worked as an IT Manager in Salford Quays for 12 years and live in North Bolton. When I first came here, the skyline of the Quays area was relatively flat but now houses such buildings as The Designer Outlet (80 outlet stores), The iconic Lowry and Imperial War Museum Buildings and new flat developments which continue to be built in anticipation of the BBC move and general growth in this area.