It's one of Greater Manchester's most sought-after destinations - but there's a filthy problem

Salford Quays is at the forefront of Greater Manchester's transformation, but it has a serious litter problem.

Now, there are calls for a massive clean up in the canal to remove the "piles of rubbish" floating in the waterways. Plastic bottles, packaging, and other items are being dumped in the water and collecting around the corners of the different basins.

The issue will be brought up at a Salford council meeting on March 20 by Lib Dem councillor Paul Heilbron, who said there's not enough being done to sort the problem out.

Mr Heilbron told the MEN that the amount of litter was even worse before the launch of the Clean Up the Quays campaign in 2020 - a scheme which sees residents take part in regular litter picking events in the area. But he added that there needs to be coordination between the council and private developers for long-term improvements to happen.

He said: "Before we started our campaign the problem was horrendous, but it's getting better now. I want to do more but I am constantly being told no for different reasons, it's as if no one has the will or want to get it done. But for me cleaning up the Quays is my number one priority.

"There's different spots where the rubbish piles up in the corners and it's horrendous. There's a lot of different developers who own different parts of the Quays. There's no joined up approach, it's one of the most beautiful spots of nature in Greater Manchester and all I'm asking for is common sense, I'm trying to get private developers to do their bit."