Water taxis plan for Ship Canal

Waxis are planned to run between 6am and midnight

Plans are being drawn up for a water taxi service between Manchester city centre and Salford Quays.

The water taxis - or 'Waxis' as they've been dubbed - would take up to 12 people at a time along the River Irwell and Manchester Ship Canal.

The service is the brainchild of entrepreneur Steve Cadwell, who wants to offer an alternative to Metrolink.

He plans to launch his Waxis in time for the opening of MediaCityUK in 2010 provided he can raise the funding.

Under-used

Sat in his office overlooking Salford Quays, Steve Cadwell was struck with an idea.

"The Ship Canal is completely under-used," he said, "and it's almost as if the city has turned its back on the river.

"And yet, when you go around the world, all the great cities make the best use of their rivers and waterways."

Taking inspiration from a visit to Sydney, Australia for a friend's wedding in 2003, Steve hatched a plan to launch Manchester's own water taxi service.

Since then, he's drawn up a business plan for a year-round commuter service, running journeys every 6-10 minutes between 6am and 12 midnight.

And with MediaCityUK on the horizon, Steve has importantly got the backing of the Peel Group, which owns both the canal and the development.

His fleet of seven bright yellow boats, travelling at a speed of 10 knots, would charge around £2 to take passengers from Victoria Station to Salford Quays in about 25 minutes.

"The idea is to make them compatible with, but also competitive with Metrolink. We would stagger our journey times so passengers would never have to wait more than five minutes."

Adding: "I really do think that a Waxi will prove to be a viable alternative. It's environmentally friendly, it's quicker than any other form of transport and it's relieving congestion off the roads."

Funding

Like all great ideas, Steve's water taxi plan is so simple, it makes you think 'why hasn't this been done before?'

Ferries once ran regularly on the Manchester Ship Canal

Well, of course, it has.

Back in the late 19th Century, ferries and pleasure boats ran regular trips around Salford Docks and up the River Irwell shortly after the Ship Canal opened in 1894.

Back then, money poured into Manchester and Salford on the back of the cotton trade, the thriving industry of the day.

Steve Cadwell's challenge now is to attract the funding he needs.

"Already we've had about half a dozen private investors express an interest," he said.

"We're also looking at grant money from low carbon emissions trusts and various councils."

And if that all comes together, Steve could get his Waxi service afloat in time for Salford's next big thing, MediaCityUK.