Next phase of £22m housing improvement scheme gets underway

The next phase of major improvement work to thousands of homes across Salford has begun.

A £1.9million investment scheme to revamp a further 250 properties in Seedley and Charlestown has now got underway following the transfer of 8,500 homes from Salford Council to Salix Homes earlier this year.

The work is the continuation of an ambitious two-year investment programme by Salix Homes, which will see 2,200 homes undergo £22m of much needed improvements including new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors and heating systems.

Contractor Emanuel Whittaker has started improvement work on almost 100 homes on the Meadowgate Estate in Seedley while building specialist A Connolly has begun work on 150 homes on the Gerald Road Estate in Charlestown.

The first phase of improvement work, which started in April, is now nearing completion and has seen 400 properties on the South Ordsall Estate and the Tootal Road Estate in Weaste undergo much needed improvements.

Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, said: “The first phase of our significant investment programme to social housing in Salford has been a resounding success with almost 400 homes transformed and modernised, so we are now delighted to be starting work on the next phase of our project which will ensure a further 250 families and individuals in Salford have the new and improved homes that they deserve.

“We are confident that our ambitious regeneration plans for our homes and communities will help deliver a housing service that Salford can be proud of for generations to come.”

In March this year the properties formally transferred from Salford Council to Salix Homes after tenants voted in favour of transfer – a move that will unlock a £75million investment over the next five years.

The improvement work to homes on the Gerald Road and Meadowgate estates is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Simon Harrison, managing director at A Connolly, said: “Gerald Road Estate in Charlestown will be another excellent refurbishment scheme for us to deliver on behalf of Salix Homes and further extends our track-record for improving the homes of residents in Salford. Community will be a big focus for us and we’re also keen to support the local pound and will continue using local companies and employing local people where possible.”

John Gallagher, contracts director at Emanuel Whittaker, added: “Our commitment to the investment programme is demonstrated with the opening of a new Emanuel Whittaker office in Salford where we can create even more jobs and training for local people. Tenants on the Tootal Estate are thrilled with their refurbished, modern homes and are giving us 100 per cent satisfaction scores and we are looking forward to starting on Meadowgate and replicating that success.”