Even before the first camera starts rolling, we’re helping to reduce MediaCityUK’s carbon footprint by finding environmentally friendly ways to transport materials to our building site. For example, we’ve utilised our waterside location to bring paving for the piazza up the Manchester Ship Canal by barge, reducing the need for emission-heavy motorway journeys by wagon.

All the buildings within MediaCityUK aspire to the highest environmental and energy-saving ratings. In fact, we were the first development in the world to become a BREEAM approved sustainable community. 

When it’s up and running, MediaCityUK will be served by a trigeneration power plant, which will help minimise CO2 emissions by centralising heating and cooling equipment. This process will also utilise water from the Manchester Ship Canal, before returning it cleaner than before (good news for the fish – and the birds that catch them).

We want people travelling to MediaCityUK to use greener means wherever possible. Salford Quays is already served by Greater Manchester’s light rail network, Metrolink, and by summer 2010 MediaCityUK will have its very own tram terminus. The new tram stop will effectively double the frequency to this part of Salford Quays, meaning there’ll be a tram leaving every 6 minutes.

Research tells us that lots of people would like the option of travelling to MediaCityUK by bike, so we’re installing 300 cycle bays at points across the site. We’re also talking to our public sector partners about improvements to the area’s existing paths and cycleways.