Irlam

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Irlam
Coordinates: 53.45° N 2.42° W Irlam shown within Greater Manchester
Population	18,504 (2001 census)
Metropolitan borough	City of Salford
Metropolitan county	Greater Manchester
Region	North West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Police	Greater Manchester
Fire	Greater Manchester
Ambulance	North West
European Parliament	North West England
List of places: UK • England • Greater Manchester

Irlam is a town within the metropolitan borough of the City of Salford, in Greater Manchester, England. Historically part of Lancashire, along with its neighbouring settlement of Cadishead, Irlam forms the most westerly part of the borough.

[edit] History

Irlam was a comparatively remote and undeveloped area of moss land until the early 19th century.

Records dating from the 13th century show that Irlam, (then called Irrewilham) was in the possession of the de Irlam family. Two centuries later the de Irlams lived at Irlam Hall but by 1688 this seat had become the property of Thomas Latham who played a major part in bringing William of Orange to the throne. The Latham family's important role in local history was acknowledged by the fact that their features were used in Irlam's former armorial bearings.

Much of the land area of this part of Lancashire (as it was until 1974) was moss land - largely a part of Chat Moss.

In 1894, the Irlam Urban District came into being and the Manchester Ship Canal was opened. The later history of the area became closely linked with the Manchester Ship Canal. The canal's construction caused a diversion to be made in the Liverpool to Manchester Railway line and a new Irlam railway station had to be built, paid for by the canal company.

For more detail see Irlam and Cadishead local history

[edit] Early Employment

Much industrial development took place along the canal banks. The Irlam Steelworks, opened in 1910, was a major source of local employment and economic stability until its closure in 1979. A diversified Industrial Estate has now been developed on the site of the former steelworks. The population of Irlam was just over 4,000 in 1901 but by the outbreak of the Second World War it had reached 14,600. When Irlam Urban District became a part of Salford in April 1974, the population of the area stood at over 20,500.^{[citation needed]}

In 1975 the UK's first Hypermarket was opened here by Tesco. Today Irlam is a district that is slowly becoming an upmarket area with some houses breaking the 1/4 million pound mark. There are parts of the district that need some renovation although most most are now modern. Recent History: Despite furious protests from the residents of Irlam, the site of the old 'Jerry Works', a wildlife haven and play area for generations of Irlam children was destroyed to make way for yet more new houses. Irlam`s residents are becoming increasingly worried about their town's future. Many predict that in ten years time there will be no greenery left and, while there will be lots of houses, other resources, such as schools will be left over crowded and in disarray.

[edit] Sports teams

• Irlam F.C.- reformed recently - located on 'Silver Street'
• Irlam Indians Roller Hockey Club - recently retired
• Irlam Vale F.C. and Irlam Rangers F.C.- junior football teams in Irlam