Manchester United’s proposed regeneration of Trafford Park could do wonders for the UK economy.
The Red Devils want to build a state-of-the-art 100,000-seater stadium worth an estimated £2billion as part of the project.
Failing that, they could transform the existing Old Trafford to bring it to the level of football’s top stadia.
The Trafford Park complex would feature the prospect of a major transport hub, along with premises dedicated to sports, residential, entertainment, business and an education campus.
According to the Daily Mail, such a regeneration could boost the UK economy by £7.3billion.
That’s after Man United commissioned Oxford Economics to carry out an assessment of the fiscal impact of their proposals.
The global advisory firm found that the plans would deliver huge growth, including 92,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes and 1.8million visitors to the area per year.
The Red Devils won’t ask for public funding, but want a public private partnership to focus on infrastructure and wider regeneration, including the immediate emphasis on transport.
This would include shifting the freight terminal currently behind the Stretford End.
Greater Manchester Major Andy Burnham and Gary Neville are part of a special taskforce to drive the project, with Burnham explaining the benefits of turning the area into a transport hub.
He said: “What you have here is huge potential to fix the rail system of the north-west of England.
“It’s an incredible opportunity right in front of us and Manchester United have created the catalyst to try and realise all these benefits.
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“Should the terminal be shifted, a significant transport hub for the area could arrive in its place.”
Neville added: “It’s hugely significant not just for Manchester United but beyond.
“I think Manchester United has one of those most powerful voices in the world even though it’s just a football club, as crazy as that sounds.
“The impact Manchester United should make on and off pitch should be significant and this is the start of it.
“I’ve been pulling my hair out for last 10 to 12 years thinking 20 years ago Manchester United had the best stadium in the world, the best training ground in the world, one of the best teams in world football.
“Obviously there has been a demise from that but the new ownership coming in has proved to be a catalyst for what we can change.”
Man United have already announced Foster + Partners as lead architects on what has been named the Stadium District.
Once completed, Oxford Economics work will drive the final recommendations from the Task Force.
