‘The Detroit Bridge is a Salford Quays landmark. The 80-metre-long footbridge spans Dock 9 linking Harbour City and Metrolink to The Lowry and The Designer Outlet. 15 years ago, the bridge was moved to its current location.’

On Detroit bridge by night

man walks his dog

in the cold of the night

shining his light

on modern Salford tonight

And on the docks

There’s no more clocks

Clockin you in

There in the bin

ships used to sail in

With cargo filled high

hustling bustling

port of the day

People used to sway

And work on the docks

With dockers hard graft

Bringing in booty

From around the world

cotton, grain, timber,

tea, fruit, oil and petrol,

frozen meat

what a treat

Exported

textiles, cars and trains

5000 dockworkers

Graftin away in its hey day

docks closed in ‘82

Haven’t a clue what they did for you

And now

Detroit bridge by night

man walks his dog

in the cold of the night

shinin his light

on modern Salford tonight

Listen to Andrew Alan Matthews poem