Road in Salford to be named in honour of late international aid worker Alan Henning

Salford City Council has announced that a road in the borough is to be named in honour of late international aid worker Alan Henning.

Salford Western Gateway – the one-mile dual carriageway which connects the A57 Liverpool Road in Salford and Trafford Way to the east of the M60 in Trafford – is part of Port Salford on Manchester Ship Canal and is soon set to become Alan Henning Way.

The Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett said it was chosen as a link to Mr Henning’s global aid work.

Alan Henning – a heroic taxi driver from Eccles – was delivering aid in Syria when he was tragically killed by Islamic State militants in 2014.

He will now be honoured in his hometown after hundreds of people signed a petition last year calling for a permanent tribute to “Salford’s finest son”.

Salford councillors agreed to name a road in Eccles after Alan last July.

Mr Dennett said that once the road is in public ownership, it will be “an honour” to name it in tribute to Alan. He said: “Port Salford is the first inland UK port and distribution hub which is served by short sea shipping, using the Manchester Ship Canal, rail and roads linking it to the motorway network,”

“The new road was chosen for several reasons.

“It is a vital, international distribution link and an essential part of the Port Salford scheme. As the port continues to grow, Alan Henning Way will become an even more important gateway to Salford. There is so much of Alan in that – a man who was a vital part of humanitarian aid missions and a man willing to give up his home comforts to travel internationally to distribute goods to families and children in desperate need.

“It will be an honour to see his name on the signs so that his bravery and kindness are never forgotten.”

Barbara Keeley – MP for Worsley and Eccles – paid tribute to Alan and added that she was delighted with the decision. She said: “Alan was a local hero and local people wanted a tribute to him, knowing that he had given his life taking aid to children and families in need in Syria.

“It is right that the city of Salford is naming a road after Alan and people in Salford and across the UK will be pleased with this tribute to his compassion and generous spirit.”

Councillor Shamina August from the Eccles ward added: “Alan touched the lives of so many people. Thousands of people across the city spoke out and said they wanted a way to make sure Alan was never forgotten as a true son of Salford.

“This road will make sure we remember that the world would be a better place, if we all showed the same Spirit of Salford as Alan did.”

Salford City Council has confirmed it is working with the developer Peel Holdings to complete the final process of adoption and the road will be formally named in the near future.

You can find more information via the Salford City Council website here.