Manchester New Islington - article, Lancashire Mag. style

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Works that made machinery for the surrounding Cotton Mills in Ancoats has been converted into innovative spaces for offices and other uses. The complex was constructed between 1880 and 1930. Canals are a feature of the New Islington development and were a key part of Manchester’s past transport system. The beginning of the industrial revolution, in Manchester, is considered to be when the Bridgewater canal arrived in Castlefield. Importing cotton from Liverpool via the Mersey and Irwell navigation led to Manchester becoming a manufacturing and distribution centre for manufactured cotton products. Although not a canal as such the Mersey and Irwell were both improved with locks and new cuts. Richard Arkwright was credited as the first person to build a Cotton mill in the city. At first water power was tried but proved to be inadequate. He then used a Watt steam engine to drive the machinery and this then became the norm and led to Manchester being named Cottonopolis. The demand for coal led to more canals being built. The New Islington canal basin branches off the Rochdale canal. There is also a branch from the Ashton canal on the Other side of Old Mill street. The Rochdale canal was wider than most at fourteen feet. It runs for thirty two miles and was opened in sections until 1804.
The metro has a tram station at New Islington and it is only a short distance from Piccadilly rail station. Horse drawn trams began in Salford in 1877 and Manchester in 1880. They were electrified in 1901. Today a second cross city line is opening and Manchester now has the largest tram system in the country. A lot of work is going into integrating the old and the new and this key area is undergoing a new renaissance. The New Islington development is not just a concrete jungle but is also a haven for nature. Tree planting and encouraging wildlife are a key element of the planning. “Today a second cross city tram line is opening, Manchester now has the largest tram system inthe country.”
Page 1 and 2: Geoff Whittaker New Islington artic

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