Now I have seen the slow transformation of Albert Square from an untidy island surrounded by traffic to something more like those squares you get in Rome, Paris and countless tiny towns across Europe, which are simultaneously a place to meet friends or just sit and watch life pass you by.
But for decades the scene from the benches in the square, or the steps of the Albert Memorial were conditioned by the noise and bustle of passing buses, lorries
and cars.
And for a while the city planners regarded Albert Square as a perfect spot to site parked cars.
So in a plan submitted to the Ministry of Transport in 1960, the Council wanted to site thirty five car parking spaces in front of the Town Hall with more beside Central Ref and around St Ann’s Square.
Two decades later, the Council undertook a major makeover of the square and bit by bit the site has been reclaimed, first with the removal of the parking spaces, and some of the bus stops, and the laying out of the area with those stone setts.
And now, in plans announced in the summer the square will undergo an even more ambitious transformation.
“The outline plans, which would see the square enlarged by around 20 per cent to significantly enhance its role as a major events and Manchester’s most important public square, are part of the Our Town Hall project to protect and enhance the Grade I-listed building and its setting.
The ideas for Albert Square were set out as part of a presentation given to July's full Council meeting detailing progress on the project.
The proposals for the square, which will be subject to full consultation at the design stage, would involve limiting traffic access to only the Princess Street side of the square and extending the square’s pedestrianised areas.
Traffic surveys have shown that fewer than 3,000 vehicles a day use this route and can be readily re-routed. Taxi and bus stops would also be repositioned, subject to consultation.
The design of the reconfigured square will also enhance its safety, security and accessibility removing the need for the current concrete barrier around it and offering better infrastructure for major events.
Albert Square is the city’s best-loved square and already hosts popular events including the Christmas Markets and Manchester International Festival’s ‘Festival Square.’
In recent years, it has also played host to everything from football trophy celebrations to more poignant events such as the moving vigil in the immediate aftermath of the 22 May 2017 Manchester Arena attack and the Manchester Together – With One Voice mass singalong which formed part of the programme marking its anniversary. Works to the square will be scheduled to avoid impacting on major events wherever possible”.*
Location; Manchester
Picture; Albert Square, from the series Manchester, circa mid 1960s, Lillywhite, issued by Tuck & Sons, courtesy of TuckDB http://tuckdb.org/history and again in 1979 from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and in artists impression of the new square.*
*Plans to make Albert Square a world-class events space and improve town hall access announced, Wednesday July 11, 2018 https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/7997/plans_to_make_albert_square_a_world-class_events_space_and_improve_town_hall_access_announced?fbclid=IwAR0nuUmpCJddG2zGP8kv8axO8BpKhLsbPGOiwP50lFfn_0YsZEPrUP6yCDc
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| Albert Square, circa 1965 |
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| The plan for a new Albert Square, 2018 |
And for a while the city planners regarded Albert Square as a perfect spot to site parked cars.
So in a plan submitted to the Ministry of Transport in 1960, the Council wanted to site thirty five car parking spaces in front of the Town Hall with more beside Central Ref and around St Ann’s Square.
Two decades later, the Council undertook a major makeover of the square and bit by bit the site has been reclaimed, first with the removal of the parking spaces, and some of the bus stops, and the laying out of the area with those stone setts.
And now, in plans announced in the summer the square will undergo an even more ambitious transformation.
The ideas for Albert Square were set out as part of a presentation given to July's full Council meeting detailing progress on the project.
The proposals for the square, which will be subject to full consultation at the design stage, would involve limiting traffic access to only the Princess Street side of the square and extending the square’s pedestrianised areas.
Traffic surveys have shown that fewer than 3,000 vehicles a day use this route and can be readily re-routed. Taxi and bus stops would also be repositioned, subject to consultation.
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| Outside the Town Hall, waiting for the bus, 1979 |
Albert Square is the city’s best-loved square and already hosts popular events including the Christmas Markets and Manchester International Festival’s ‘Festival Square.’
In recent years, it has also played host to everything from football trophy celebrations to more poignant events such as the moving vigil in the immediate aftermath of the 22 May 2017 Manchester Arena attack and the Manchester Together – With One Voice mass singalong which formed part of the programme marking its anniversary. Works to the square will be scheduled to avoid impacting on major events wherever possible”.*
Location; Manchester
Picture; Albert Square, from the series Manchester, circa mid 1960s, Lillywhite, issued by Tuck & Sons, courtesy of TuckDB http://tuckdb.org/history and again in 1979 from the collection of Andrew Simpson, and in artists impression of the new square.*
*Plans to make Albert Square a world-class events space and improve town hall access announced, Wednesday July 11, 2018 https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/7997/plans_to_make_albert_square_a_world-class_events_space_and_improve_town_hall_access_announced?fbclid=IwAR0nuUmpCJddG2zGP8kv8axO8BpKhLsbPGOiwP50lFfn_0YsZEPrUP6yCDc
Sat on that bench many times waiting for the 166 bus to Eccles
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