Charlestown - Beeley Street, Arrowhead, Albion Estate, Gerald Road East, Castle Irwell areas
The area
The areas around the Arrowhead (Rowsley Street, Beeley Street, Haddon Street) and the opposite side of Gerald Road (Blandford Road, Ventnor Street, Coniston Street, Welford Street, Lydford Street) are characterised by large Victorian terraces. The location close to the University of Salford makes this a popular choice for students.
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The Salix Homes managed Albion Estate (known locally as the Dogtrack Estate) was built on the site of the former greyhound race track in the 1970s. The estate borders the River Irwell with a footpath alongside the river, and there is access to Lower Broughton over a pedestrian bridge. |
Opposite the Albion Estate is the iQ Quarter, a new low rise apartment development of student accommodation. Other dedicated student accommodation at Castle Irwell Student Village, Waterside Village and the Tramways apartment block is located along the Cromwell Road and Seaford Road routeway to the University.
The area is also home to the Blandford Road based Irwell Riverside campus of the University of Salford, as well as a small number of industrial businesses that are based along Seaford Road.
Local Amenities
The Albion Community Garden and play area is located on Seaford Road near to the Albion Estate.
The Albion casino and restaurant is located on Cromwell Road, and opposite is Castle Irwell Student Village which has its own self contained student bar and nightclub.
A number of shops are located along Cromwell Road, Seaford Road and Gerald Road. These include bakers, cafes, hair and beauty salons, a second hand store, a bistro, a number of off licence/newsagents, as well as a new Spar, Subway outlet and take away at the iQ Quarter student apartment block.
Peel Park, with its riverside views, is a short walk from this area towards the University.
NDC Activities
Community
A number of residents associations in the area are supported by Community Worker Karina Daniels.
Albion Residents’ Association – Residents from the Albion Estate hold regular meetings and have been involved in a number of projects to improve the lives of those residents living in the area.
Great Residents’ Association – Residents from the terraced housing around Seaford Road and Littleton Road have organised a number of social activities for residents in the area.
Sew and Sos – Organised and run by a local resident living in the area, the group meets regularly at St Sebastian’s Community Centre to offer residents the opportunity to learn skills in sewing and needle craft.
Beeley Street Community Garden Group – Set up after the installation of the alleygates, the group welcomes residents living in the gated area of Beeley Street. The group has secured funding for garden furniture and plants and has helped support a number of other residents to set up alleygating groups in their own areas.
Community Safety Initiatives
Burglary has been reduced and residents made safer by the alleygating scheme, which has seen gates installed in many of the terraced streets leading from Gerald Road and Seaford Road.
The Ssshhh Campaign was introduced to improve student/community relations and to reduce anti-social behaviour from a minority of students in the area.
Children, Young People and Education
Children have access to nearby Charlestown and St Sebastian's Primary Schools, with St George’s and Lower Kersal primary schools a short walk away, as well as having Albion High School on the doorstep.
A number of children’s play areas are within easy reach at Albion Community Garden on Seaford Road, Whit Lane, Strawberry Road, Riverbank Park on Littleton Road, and Kingsley Avenue.
Several playgroups, parent and toddler groups and out of school groups are active within the NDC area.
The Albion Residents’ Association is heavily involved in organising activities for children in the school holidays.
Salford Community Leisure Ltd have worked on activities with the Albion Residents association and supported the opening of the Albion Community Garden.
Young people can take part in a range of activities co-ordinated by Salford Youth Service and NDC at the Beacon Centre on London Street, Lower Kersal Young People’s Group based at St Aidan’s Church, Oliver’s Youth Club off Langley Road, and the Amber Project based on Whit Lane.
Physical Environment
The Victorian terraces have benefited from the installation of alleygates, which has made people feel safer, reduced burglary, and has given residents a safe haven in which to relax and play. The Beeley Street residents were thrilled to receive one of the In Bloom awards in 2006.
The programme of private housing improvements (in partnership with Salford City Council and Housing Market Renewal Fund) has made a dramatic difference to the area, with the visual impact of smart terraces making the area look desirable to those currently living there and those aspiring to buy or rent there.
Residents on the Albion Estate initiated improvement works which have been implemented by the New Deal for Communities team with the help of Groundwork, including resurfacing of a passageway and pathways, painting of communal walls and brightening of pathways with murals designed by local children. This group was also instrumental to the building of the Albion Community Garden which was built on a patch of vacant land previously used for fly tipping.
Health
Residents in this area have access to three Healthy Living Centres within the NDC area which are based at:
- Energise on the nearby Douglas Green
- The Willow Tree on Littleton Road
- START at Brunswick House on Broad Street
Business, Employment & Skills
A number of the shops have benefited from the Business Improvement Grants which have assisted with the refurbishment of business properties within the area.
Business advice and training is also available from Salford Hundred Venture based off Frederick Road.
Residents in this area have access to:
- Jobshop on Littleton Road to assist in their jobsearch
- The Skills for Life Centre at Lower Kersal Centre on Northallerton Road
- The Eccles College ICT suite at Salford Sports Village on Littleton Road
- The extended schools facilities at Albion High School on London Street
- The new Social Media Centre at the Innovation Forum on Frederick Road
This page was last updated on 08 February 2008
