I recently had to visit Salford for a training course and spent a couple of days walking between hotel and college centre, passing a number of the area's works of art en route.
Of course Salford Quays was once a massive and significant port, although there is very little boat traffic left today. (Modern lifting bridges imply that there is SOME large shipping, but there wasn't enough to make an appearance in the three days I was there.)
The artworks around the water's edge tell part of the tale of the area and the people who lived and worked there. I rather liked one called Nine Dock, which is in the form of a large number nine, lying on its back so it can serve as seating. Set into the surface are quotes from residents.
"Everybody going somewhere, everybody doing something. Countless railway lines. Shunting trains going through all the time, and lorries queued up. It was organised chaos." John Baker.
"During the war anyone who had the allotments used to share out what they grew. Oranges and chocolates were thrown from the Manchester liners coming through the canal." Pauline Thompson.
"My father went out one day and saw a man drawing a picture and said "What yer doing mister?" to be told not quite so politely to run away and play. They found out later that the man was L S Lowry." Ann Howarth.
No 9 dock was once the busiest and largest in Salford. It opened in 1905 and was big enough to hold 10 ocean liners. The sculpture was unveiled in 2010.
Dockers had to belong to a union in order to be employed and had to turn up daily and compete with others for limited jobs. They were chosen for their strength and speed and if they were taken on, would take home a wage at the end of the day. Those who failed to make the grade went home without money, and their families often went without food and heating as a result. 
